Queen Camilla has made a big change to her online book club. The Queen’s Reading Room is now officially a charitable organisation that will help build community around reading.
The Queen’s Reading Room originally started in April 2020. The then-Duchess of Cornwall shared a list of her favourite books on Instagram to help people manage during lockdowns.
There was such a positive response to her books that she launched The Duchess of Cornwall’s Reading Room on Instagram in January 2021. The Instagram-based online book club shared a slate of books each quarter. Queen Camilla and many of the authors would do interviews, provide insights into their books, and even offer more book recommendations. The Instagram page now has over 150,000 followers.
In a reception that was postponed due to The Queen contracting Covid-19, Her Majesty welcomed several authors, academics, and community members to Clarence House to celebrate the second anniversary of The Royal Reading Room. The King also attended and looked thrilled as his wife celebrated the project’s success.
The Reading Room will be working to foster a love of literature and to build community around it for all ages.
In her speech at Clarence House, The Queen thanked the readers, authors, and communities who have supported the Reading Room and actively take part. In particular, she thanked the many authors attending for their dedication to their craft. Her Majesty said ”So thank you, on behalf of book-lovers and book clubs everywhere, for sharing your talents with us and for everything you do to promote literacy and a love of literature. Please keep doing so and please remain true to your calling, unimpeded by those who may wish to curb the freedom of your expression or impose limits on your imagination.”
Queen Camilla explained that there are several events being planned for this year, including a new event. On 11 June, The Queen’s Reading Room Festival will take place at Hampton Court Palace; a schedule of authors attending and tickets will be made available in early March.
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