Oxford Literary Festival begins today, giving book lovers the chance to quiz royalty, hear top politicians and spot celebrities.

One of the biggest coups of this year’s event is securing the Princess Royal as one of the festival’s speakers.

Princess Anne, the president of the charity Save the Children for more than 40 years, will mark her visit to the Sheldonian Theatre on Wednesday by speaking about her involvement with African charities.

She will also be interviewed by former United Nations Under Secretary-General Sir John Holmes, now director of Oxfordshire’s Ditchley Foundation.

Later the Princess, has unusually, agreed to take questions from the floor.

The event will also see the launch of the festival’s new Africa programme, which from next year will see an annual celebration in Oxford of African literature, culture and traditions during the Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival.

Ben Okri, the Nigerian novelist and Booker Prize winner, will introduce the Princess.

The 15th festival includes more than 250 events between today and Sunday, April 10.

Festival special adviser Tony Byrne, said: “The Princess has been invited because of her tireless work over many decades for African charities, and the innumerable visits she has made to projects throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa.

“The Princess is also patron of the Oxford-based charity Opportunity International, which offers small loans and savings and insurance schemes to 1.8 million people, 84 per cent of whom are women.”

From 2012, the festival’s African programme, run in partnership with both Oxford universities, will also focus on African social and historical issues and public affairs, as well as the continent’s literary culture.

Last year’s event attracted more than 25,000 people to the city centre.

Speakers this year include children’s writer Jacqueline Wilson, broadcaster and writer Lord Melvyn Bragg, actress Stephanie Powers, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Lord Lawson, playwright and author Michael Frayn, historian David Starkey and artists Gilbert and George.

  • For full details of festival events and to buy tickets, click on the link below