Queen Camilla, joined by King Charles and the Duchess of Gloucester, hosted a distinguished reception at Clarence House to commemorate the fourth anniversary of her online Reading Room and to unveil The Queen’s Reading Room Medal.
Queen Camilla hosted a reception to mark her online reading room. (Royal Family)
This newly established accolade seeks to acknowledge the efforts of “reading heroes” who are instrumental in addressing the reading crisis by fostering a love for literature within their communities.
Their contribution will have made a demonstrable impact on the people they serve: improving literacy, transforming non-readers into readers, or helping to improve wellbeing by connecting people with other book lovers. Their impact may be connected to literacy but the key impact is around increasing reading. The inaugural recipient of this prestigious award will be announced in 2026.
A look at The Queen’s Reading Room Medal. (The Queen’s Reading Room)
The event at Clarence House was graced by notable figures from the literary world, including actors Richard E. Grant, Miriam Margolyes, and Dame Joanna Lumley.
In her speech, Queen Camilla emphasised the transformative power of literature, stating, ‘through literature, we experience life through another’s eyes, we are comforted, strengthened, we laugh, we cry, we travel to different lands, and we escape the real world’. She further highlighted the organisation’s mission, asserting, ‘making life better is the ultimate aim of my Reading Room’.
Her Majesty gave a speech about the power of literacy. (Royal Family)
Camilla delighted guests with a fascinating literary anecdote, referencing her most recent Reading Room recommendation — Jane Austen’s ‘Sense and Sensibility’. She shared a historical connection between the novel and royalty, recounting that the future King George IV was among the first to purchase a copy in 1811, paying 15 shillings for it two days before its public release. He was so taken with the novel that he purchased a second copy two years later. To the guests’ delight, Queen Camilla displayed the original receipt from the King’s purchase along with an 1813 edition of the book.
She also highlighted the enduring relevance of Jane Austen’s work, noting, “This year, of course, is the 250th anniversary of Jane’s birth. Her voice and characters remain as fresh, witty, and true to life as ever: who among us has not encountered the pomposity of a Mr. Collins, the dastardly attractiveness of a Willoughby, or the gossipy meddling of an Emma?”
Reflecting on the legacy of storytelling, she quoted Queen Victoria, another admirer of Austen, who described her novels as “admirably written…interesting and entertaining.” Queen Camilla extended this sentiment to all literary creators, stating, “We might even go so far as to be ‘much amused’ by them. We are certainly greatly in their debt.”
His Majesty alongside guests at the reception. (Royal Family)
The Queen also underscored the vital role literature plays in fostering a healthier and more connected society. Citing scientific research, she stressed that reading has proven benefits for brain health and mental well-being. She affirmed her charity’s mission, saying, “We are putting our efforts into leveraging the unique power of books to help rebuild lives and are committed to taking them into places where they are so badly needed and often so sadly absent.”
The King and Queen with a number of guests at the reception. (Royal Family)
Since its inception, The Queen’s Reading Room has flourished, reaching over 12 million people across 173 countries and welcoming nearly 20,000 visitors to its literary festivals. Queen Camilla acknowledged the contributions of writers, publishers, and literacy advocates in helping to build this thriving community of readers.
