Charles lays wreath on Shakespeare's grave on 400th anniversary of the poet's death

The Prince of Wales has laid a wreath at the grave of William Shakespeare following nationwide celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of his death.

Charles visited the last resting place of the Bard at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon after touring New Place, a garden on the former site of Shakespeare's town house commemorating the poet's legacy and works.

On Saturday evening, a star-studded gala of performances celebrating the Bard's life are being performed at the riverside Royal Shakespeare Theatre attended by Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Shakespeare Live! features David Tennant, who earned critical acclaim in the Royal Shakespeare Company's Richard II and played Hamlet in 2009, as well as Al Murray, Tim Minchin, Rufus Wainwright and Joseph Fiennes.

For the Bard's supporters, the day had started with a theatrical parade through the town to pay homage to the writer, who was born and died on April 23.

The day's festivities conclude with a fireworks display and a line of light, leading to Holy Trinity, where there will be a graveside vigil.

Earlier today, US president Barack Obama was treated to a special performance of scenes from Hamlet at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London, praising the actors as "wonderful".

The president made an early-morning trip to the playhouse in Southwark to mark the anniversary of the Bard's death.

Shakespeare, who penned almost 40 plays, over 150 sonnets, and coined well-known phrases still widely used to this day, died in 1616.