ROYAL biographer Penny Junor has agreed to travel to Durham next month to help raise funds for the city's St Cuthbert's Hospice.

As guest speaker at a fundraising lunch on May 17, Ms Junor will be revealing some fascinating inside stories and predicting the future of the Royals, including the controversial prospect of a Queen Camilla.

Speaking from her Wiltshire home yesterday, ardent monarchist Ms Junor pulled no punches on what she thinks of some of the members of the country's most prominent family.

The writer, whose latest book, The Firm - The Troubled Life of the House of Windsor, is an international best-seller, will be making her first visit to the city.

"I am a very keen supporter of hospices, and that is why I agreed to speak at the lunch, but I am, of course, looking forward to seeing Durham.''

St Cuthbert's launched an appeal to build a £3.2m unit for inpatients last year.

It is more than two-thirds of the way towards its target, which will provide a ten-bed extension to its premises in Park House Road, in the city, which will offer 24-hour specialist palliative care.

Enlisting the fundraising help of Ms Junor is seen as a major coup, and the lunch, at Hardwick Hall, is expected to be a sell-out.

Those attending are in for a right royal treat when Ms Junor speaks on the present state of "The Firm" - the Royal family - and the prospects for its future.

Talking to The Northern Echo, yesterday, Ms Junor said: "Though it is not without its faults and imperfections, I am very much in favour of the monarchy.''

She described it as a "fantastic bargain'' for the country.

But she said she saw its future much more pared down in numbers.

"Simply, there are some members of the Royal family who do not pull their weight,'' she said.

Ms Junor offered the suggestion that Prince Harry should be left to get on with his own life, leaving the way clear for other members, such as Prince Charles and Prince William.

And the successful biographer, who has met most of the Royals, believes the country will one day see a Queen Camilla.

Tickets costing £30 for the three-course lunch can be obtained by telephoning 0191-386 1170.