It is well-known that Camilla is an ardent reader and has a keen interest in promoting the advantages of reading both to children and adults alike. Hosting numerous literacy events, The Duchess has sat and read to children as well as met with adult readers eager to improve their literacy skills.
Embed from Getty ImagesOn Tuesday, The Duchess presented the Man Booker Prize for Fiction 2015 and attended a reception and dinner at the Guildhall in London.
The Booker Prize Foundation has contributed to funding the National Literacy Trust’s Middlesbrough project, which Camilla visited in May 2013.
The Man Booker Prize was launched in 1969 and is one of the most prestigious literary awards.
The event on Tuesday was the third time Camilla has presented the Man Booker Prize. In 2013, she awarded Eleanor Catton for her book Luminaries. Last year Richard Flanagan was given the award for his book The Narrow Road to the Deep North.
This year’s shortlisted titles and authors were: A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James (Oneworld Publications), Satin Island by Tom McCarthy (Jonathan Cape), The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma (ONE, Pushkin Press), The Year of the Runaways by Sunjeev Sahota (Picador), A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler (Chatto & Windus) and A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (Picador).
Marlon James won the 2015 Man Booker Prize for A Brief History of Seven Killings.
Camilla is Patron of the National Literacy Trust, Book Trust, The Wicked Young Writers Award and First Story, all of which help to promote literacy in young people.
Earlier this year The Duchess handed out awards to finalists of BBC Radio 2’s 500 Words competition, seeking to encourage children aged 13 and under to compose a piece of fiction of no more than 500 words. The finalists were invited to St James’s Palace for a reception.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn speaking with the young authors, Camilla noted: “Like climbing through the wardrobe into Narnia, stories open doors into different worlds. They stretch the imagination and get our brains buzzing. We fall in love with heroes and heroines and can’t turn the pages fast enough to find out what happens. We meet impossible people, travel to remote places and make hundreds of new friends.”
The Duchess of Cornwall is never too shy to sit down at the many literacy events, including library openings or re-dedications and join in the fun, reading to children. She has noted that one of her great joys is to sit down and read to her grandchildren.
Featured Photo Credit: Shaun Amey via Flickr
