The King and Queen hosted a starry line-up at Clarence House this evening for the launch of the Queen’s Reading Room medal. 

Joined by actors and authors including Sigourney Weaver, Richard E Grant, Helena Bonham Carter, Dame Joanna Lumley, Dame Jilly Cooper, Antony Horowitz and Kate Atkinson, Camilla launched the medal which has been designed to recognise people who are championing literature in local communities. 

In a speech opening the reception, the King, 76, stood near his wife and listened as Camilla, 77, spoke of how ‘making life better is the ultimate aim of my Reading Room’ as she praised the gathered authors for their work. 

‘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. 

‘In short, books and those who create them, make life better…much better – so thank you!’ the Queen said. 

The Duchess of Gloucester, Sarah and Daniel Chatto, the Queen’s children Laura Lopes and Tom Parker-Bowles and her sister Annabel Elliot, also joined Charles and Camilla at the reception, where they viewed the new medal design, crafted by Worcestershire Medals Limited, and Camilla met the judging panel. 

They include Dame Gail Rebuck, the CEO of Penguin Random House and Jonathan Douglas, the CEO of the National Literacy Trust and will pick the first recipient of the medal next year, which will be personally awarded by the Queen. 

Nominations will open next month, from April 1st, with anyone over the age of 18 eligible to nominate themselves or someone in their community. 

The King and Queen hosted a starry line-up at Clarence House this evening for the launch of the Queen’s Reading Room medal

Charles and Camilla at the reception, where the Queen unveiled the medal which has been designed to recognise people who are championing literature in local communities

As they came down the stairs from their private apartment and Charles spotted actress Miriam Margolyes seated in a mobile chair, he reached out and held her hand. ‘Wonderful to see you,’ he said. 

After Camilla’s speech, Margolyes greeted her warmly, joking: ‘I’ve got to try and curtsy without falling down,’ to which Camilla laughed, replying: ‘Here, let me hold you up!’ 

Margolyes, who reminded Camilla she will also see her tomorrow for an engagement at the Dickens Museum where the actress is a patron, told her: ‘Don’t talk to me for too long, don’t let me monopolise you.’ 

Speaking to Dame Jilly, Camilla thanked her for coming and the author told her: ‘I’m so proud of you. For all you’ve done.’ 

During a conversation with Weaver, the actress asked her: ‘Is all the Reading Room research online? I must look it out.’ 

The King and Queen also spent time talking to Charles’s biographer, Jonathan Dimbleby while other guests included the actor Freddy Fox and actress Adjoa Andoh, best known for her role as Lady Danbury in Bridgerton. 

At the reception, a selection of items from Jane Austen’s house and birthplace in Hampshire and from the Royal Collection were also on display at Clarence House, marking the 250th anniversary of the author’s birth. 

They included a Royal Collection second edition copy of Sense and Sensibility, and a drawing by Austen’s sister, Cassandra. 

In a speech opening the reception, the King, 76, stood near his wife and listened as Camilla, 77, spoke of how ‘making life better is the ultimate aim of my Reading Room’ as she praised the gathered authors for their work

The Queen posing with Dame Jilly Cooper. the author of Rivals

She was also seen sharing  laugh with English actor Richard E Grant (left) 

As he and Camilla came down the stairs from their private apartment, Charles spotted actress Miriam Margolyes seated in a mobile chair and reached out to hold her hand 

King Charles with Sir Derek Jacobi and Helena Bonham Carter at the glitzy reception on Tuesday 

Camilla is a longstanding campaigner on literacy and encouraging reading, and is patron of organisations including the National Literacy Trust, First Story, Corma Beanstalk and Booktrust. 

Last year, a report published by the National Literary Trust found that reading rates are the lowest on record, with one in two adults not reading a book at all in the last year. 

The Queen’s Reading Room Medal aims to highlight the work of ‘reading heroes’ across the country who are working to help their communities overcome that reading crisis. 

Vicki Perrin, chief executive of the Queen’s Reading Room said: ‘We are delighted to announce The Queen’s Reading Room medal: a special recognition award for those reading heroes across the nation who champion books and reading in their local communities. 

‘As a charity, we are constantly inspired by the work of individuals and organisations who work tirelessly to get books into the hands of people who will benefit from the transformative effects of reading, which as we know from our own research, are rooted in better mental health and increased social connection.’ 

It comes after the King and Queen were forced to cancel their state visit to the Holy See and meeting with Pope Francis next month.

Buckingham Palace announced on Tuesday that the visit has been ‘postponed by mutual agreement’ given the Pope’s continuing health issues.

He was released from hospital two days ago after spending more than five weeks battling double pneumonia as well as other health issues.

In a statement, the palace said: ‘The King and Queen’s State Visit to The Holy See has been postponed by mutual agreement, as medical advice has now suggested that Pope Francis would benefit from an extended period of rest and recuperation.

Queen Camilla speaks with David Dimbleby and Bridgerton actress Adjoa Andoh (centre)

King Charles III with Lady Sarah Chatto and Daniel Chatto

From left to right: Adjoa Andoh, Miriam Margolyes, David Dimbleby, Duchess of Gloucester, Ken Follett, Queen Camilla, King Charles, Donna Tartt, Min Jin Lee, Dame Jilly Cooper, Freddie Fox, Sigourney Weaver and Jim Simpson

 ‘Their Majesties send The Pope their best wishes for his convalescence and look forward to visiting him in The Holy See, once he has recovered.’

It is understood that Charles and Camilla’s consecutive state visit to the Republic of Italy will go ahead but there may be ‘some impact’ now on the programme.