One is celebrated as a towering figure in children’s literature; the other is, quite simply, the Queen.
Camilla welcomed Harry Potter author JK Rowling for an audience yesterday at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
The two were photographed standing together and smiling as they spoke about why access to books matters so much for young readers.
In a post shared on the Royal Family’s official social media channels, the monarchy highlighted the pair’s mutual love of literature and their shared belief in encouraging children to read for enjoyment.
The message added that Her Majesty and Ms Rowling discussed the need to make books available to young people, and the powerful role reading can play in creating opportunities for future generations.
Members of the Royal Family are currently in Scotland for a week of official engagements north of the Border.
King Charles, 77, arrived in the Scottish capital to a performance of The Proclaimers’ hit “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Pipes and Drums of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The musicians also played the Tartan Army favourite “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie”, a song first made famous by Spanish duo Baccara.
Queen Camilla and JK Rowling discussed the importance of children’s access to books during their meeting at Holyroodhouse
He was joined at the palace garden by his brother, Prince Edward, and sister, Princess Anne plus around 200 guests, Ms Rowling among them, who were invited as a thank you for their work in the local community.
Teenager Isla Grist, who sufferers from the rare butterfly skin condition, the life-limiting Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), met the King and Queen at the event.
She was joined by her mother, Rachael Grist, and former Scotland footballer Graeme Souness, the EB charity DEBRA president, and his wife, Karen.
After meeting the Royal couple the 17-year-old, from Black Isle, north of Inverness, said: ‘He asked me about the charity that me and Graeme are involved in and was very up with his knowledge and I spoke about how much we do for the charity and having EB.
‘It was very exciting and I was a little bit nervous but mostly exciting. It was a great honour.’
Mr Souness added: ‘Not many people get to meet the King and Queen and I’m from Edinburgh, I’m in my home city, so to be thrilled would be an understatement.
‘We are a small charity, EB affects five thousand people in the UK and so have to raise money and make people aware.
‘Awareness is everything. When you dig deep into this condition it is harrowing when you witness it.
King Charles is in Scotland for a week of engagements north of the Border, accompanied by his wife Camilla and his siblings Prince Edward and Princess Anne
Princess Anne speaks to guests during a Garden Party in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Teenager Isla Grist, who sufferers from the rare butterfly skin condition, the life-limiting Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), met the King and Queen at the Garden Party
‘I’m hoping the pictures of Isla with the King and Queen appear everywhere that will help us enormously as it is all about awareness.’
Pop star Eve Graham, a singer in the 1970s group the New Seekers, was made an MBE at the King’s investiture ceremony while former Hearts chairwoman Anne Budge and former Scotland rugby captain Rob Wainwright were made OBEs.
Ms Graham, from Perth, said being named in the New Year’s Honours list had been a complete surprise.
She said: ‘I’d been in America last November, singing over there. I came back and two days later on the doorstep was this letter.
‘It was just so out of the blue, I was still suffering from jetlag. It was just amazing and so humbling.
‘Though I’ve had a great career, the last thing I expected was to be honoured for it.’
The New Seekers had international success with tracks like I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing and were Britain’s 1972 Eurovision entry.
Ms Budge stepped down from her long-standing position as chairwoman of Hearts at the end of last year, though remains an honorary president.
The businesswoman said the investiture had been a ‘lovely, lovely experience’.
She said Hearts had experienced its ‘ups and downs’ during her tenure, but is nevertheless on an upward trajectory.
Around 200 guests attended the event who were invited as a thank you for their work in the local community
Prince Eward, Duke of Edinburgh, also attended the Garden Party in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Ms Budge said: ‘I’ve still got my season ticket, I’ve never given that up.
‘I haven’t enjoyed the last few months because it’s really quite difficult standing back when you’ve been so heavily involved over such a long period.
‘That said – I’m now the honorary president.
‘Which really means I don’t have to do anything except be wheeled out every so often. So, that’s quite nice.’
Mr Wainwright, who has thrown himself into fundraising for the MND charity My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, set up by his late friend and Scotland star Doddie Weir, said it had been ‘a real honour to meet the King and to have recognition’.
He said: ‘I’ve been in great company, some really interesting people who’ve done amazing things.’
Earlier on in the day, during a visit to the Royal Academy of Scottish Art and Architecture celebrating its bicentennial, Queen Camilla said she was determined to give her husband ‘a nudge in the right direction’ to get some of his paintings on show in Scotland.
She was speaking at the academy as part of Their Majesties annual Royal Week in the country.
Towards the end of her hour-long visit she told guests: ‘Can I just say before I leave how proud I am to be your patron. I think this will be the first of many visits because I know you have so many wonderful collections that I would absolutely love to come and have a look at.
‘Sadly I don’t have the talent my husband has or my late father-in-law had. I do try to paint, very badly. But sadly don’t have much time. But there’s nothing I enjoy more than looking around other people’s work.’
Queen Camilla visited the Royal Academy of Scottish Art and Architecture celebrating its bicentennial earlier in the day
‘There’s nothing I enjoy more than looking around other people’s work,’ she said
President Gareth Fisher asked for everyone’s best wishes to be passed on to the King and said they hoped he would keep painting.
‘He has to be encouraged,’ Queen Camilla laughed.
‘I hope one of these days perhaps he can bring a few of his paintings here.’
She was told the hosts would ‘love to have one of his Scottish landscapes’ and replied: ‘Well I shall mention it to him. I shall give him a nudge in the right direction.’
‘I am very proud to be part of this.’
Founded in 1826, the academy’s long-serving honorary academician was Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, who enjoyed an association lasting more than 50 years.
Before she left the Queen signed a visitors book and cut a beautifully decorated birthday cake.
Meanwhile, Prince William was in Aberdeen to mark the third anniversary of the Royal Foundation’s Homeward programme.
He visited Langstane Housing Association, a Homeward delivery partner and registered social landlord.
The Duke of Rothesay as he is known in Scotland was put to work and chatted to support staff and residents as he helped prepare welcome packages of essential items for people settling in their new homes.
