The Queen recently hosted a literary gathering at Clarence House in London, shining a spotlight on the often-overlooked champions of reading. This event marked the start of filming for a new documentary exploring the profound impact books can have on our lives.
Accompanying Queen Camilla were King Charles and the Duchess of Gloucester. Together, they met with the finalists of The Queen’s Reading Room Medal, an accolade dedicated to those who have significantly promoted literature and reading within UK communities.
The reception was a star-studded affair, with notable figures like Sir Ben Okri, Jojo Moyes, Richard Osman, Sigourney Weaver, Stanley Tucci, Lee Child, Jeffrey Archer, Derek Jacobi, and Robert Harris among the attendees.
In 2021, Camilla launched the Duchess of Cornwall’s Reading Room to celebrate the transformative power of books. It has since evolved into what is now known as The Queen’s Reading Room, continuing its mission to inspire and engage readers.
Following the event, Sigourney Weaver, famed for her role in “Aliens,” revealed she has even subscribed to the Queen’s Reading Room newsletter, underscoring the widespread appeal and influence of this literary initiative.
Speaking afterwards Aliens star Sigourney Weaver said she has even signed up for Camilla’s Queen’s Reading Room newsletter.
And she added she was reading The Far Pavilions by M M Kay after it was recommended by The Queen.
She said: ‘I’m so interested in how this is growing because you can do the same thing in America, it’s energising.
Queen Camilla celebrated unsung reading heroes at a literary reception with stars Reeta Chakrabarti, Tan Twan Eng, Sir Ben Okri, Lee Child, Selina Cadell, Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Blunt and Stanley Tucci
Camilla was joined by King Charles and Duchess of Gloucester to meet finalists of The Queen’s Reading Room Medal, at Clarence House, London
Queen Camilla speaks to Selina Cadell, who played Sally Tishell in the long-running ITV medical dramedy Doc Martin, at a reception for authors where Sigourney Weaver (centre) said in a speech she has even signed up for Camilla’s Queen’s Reading Room newsletter
At the royal reception, Selina Brown won a medal as ‘National Reading Hero’ after founding the Black British Book Festival – which is Europe’s largest celebration of black literature
Britain’s King Charles speaks to Felicity Blunt and Stanley Tucci at a reception for authors, members of the literary community and representatives from the Queen’s Reading Room
In a speech the Queen said the success of her online reading community, which she founded five years ago, was something ‘beyond anyone’s wildest dreams, especially mine!’
Jojo Moyes, who is well known for her romance novels like Me Before You, was also in attendance of the Queen’s reception
‘The ideas that adults are not reading or reading go their children is sad. Reading is everything. I wouldn’t have a career if I wasn’t a reader.’
The actress added she was ‘shocked’ by recent statistics revealed by Camilla in January revealed only one in two adults in the UK read a book in a year.
In a speech Camilla revealed she is appearing in a new BBC documentary with cameras filming at the palace.
Standing in front of celebrated authors she said: ‘I’m also delighted to announce that we have partnered with the BBC and Blink Films for a major new documentary that will showcase the life-transforming power of books – my father’s and my own experience included – for which the cameras are filming here this evening.’
Camilla’s late father Bruce Shand published his memoir about World War II exploits and time spent as a prisoner of war.
And she has previously described him as ‘probably the best-read man I’ve come across anywhere. He devoured books. He read to us as children’.
The documentary will mark the UK-wide National Year of Reading 2026 and produced in partnership with The Open University.
At the royal reception, Selina Brown won a medal as ‘National Reading Hero’ after founding the Black British Book Festival – which is Europe’s largest celebration of black literature.
Queen Camilla presenting Liz Waterland her medal as ‘Local Reading Hero’ for her commitment to volunteering at Deepings Community Library in Lincolnshire
Queen Camilla speaking to Ann Cleeves at a reception for authors, members of the literary community and representatives from the Queen’s Reading Room, at Clarence House
Reeta Chakrabarti, a journalist and correspondent for the BBC, greeting the Queen
Lee Child was one of the star-studded guest list for the celebration of authors and literature
Queen Camilla speaking to Malaysian novelist Tan Twan Eng, who wrote the Man Asian Literary Prize winner The Garden of Evening Mists
Queen Camilla speaks with writer and poet Ben Okri, who is considered to be one of the foremost African authors in the postmodern and post-colonial tradition
Queen Camilla poses for a photo with the female winners and finalists during a reception for authors
Selina Brown, historian Adam Zamoyski and Queen Camilla speak during a reception for authors
Camilla presented the medal and said: ‘Many congratulations’
Liz Waterland received a medal as ‘Local Reading Hero’ for her commitment to volunteering at Deepings Community Library in Lincolnshire.
Presenting the medal Camilla said: ‘Fantastic job. You are so brilliant.’
A copy of Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘How Watson Learned the Trick’ from Queen Mary’s Doll’s House at Windsor Castle.
And early editions of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of the Baskervilles.
