Prince Charles Celebrates His 60th Birthday With A Comedy Gala

London, England (BANG) -Britain's Prince Charles celebrated his 60th birthday Wednesday night with a comedy gala featuring performances from John Cleese, Robin Williams and Joan Rivers.

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The prince - who reaches the landmark age Friday - was accompanied by his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, and son Prince Harry as he attended the "We Are Most Amused: A Comedy Celebrating the 60th Birthday of HRH The Prince of Wales" show at London's New Wimbledon Theater.

While Charles attempted to hide his amusement at some of the comedians' more politically incorrect punchlines, he failed to conceal his laughter when Williams jokingly asked the audience whether Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was the "love child of Ronald Reagan and Posh Spice."

The show also featured a reunion of former "Fawlty Towers" co-stars Cleese - who also acted as master of ceremonies for the evening - and Andrew Sachs, who famously played Cleese's character Basil Fawlty's Spanish employee Manuel.

Meanwhile, author Penny Junor has praised Prince Charles on the eve of his birthday.

Junor - who wrote "The Palace Diaries: Twelve Years with HRH Prince Charles" - never fails to be amazed by the heir to the throne's constant energy, but isn't sure if he is ready to take over as ruler of the U.K. because he is so busy.

In an interview marking the landmark birthday, Penny said: "The prince has more energy than is decent for a man of his age and, at the risk of over-egging the pudding, he was sounding off about most of the issues that are now mainstream concerns years before the rest of us woke up to the dangers."

"On top of that, there's the day job. He meets the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition regularly; he reads State papers; he holds investitures; he visits schools, businesses and hospitals; he attends state funerals; he entertains visiting statesmen and goes on foreign tours at the request of the Foreign Office."

"As well as his own charities, he is active patron of 350 others, and nominal patron of a further 252, to which he sends messages of support."

"And people accuse him of abusing his position. Actually, perhaps he is a saint!"