The Duchess of Cornwall is a patron and supporter of many different literacy-related organisations and causes. At the end of 2020, she launched the Duchess of Cornwall’s Reading Room, after her lock down reading lists were incredibly popular. The Instagram-based book club is a digital hub for literary communities across the world, and celebrates literature and reading in all forms. The Prince of Wales has joined her for the Reading Room this week, sharing his own favourite books on Instagram.
The Prince of Wales is an avid reader himself, and an author in his own right. He has written several books touching on nature and sustainability, as well as architecture. He has always enjoyed reading, but now as a grandfather enjoys reading children’s books like the Harry Potter series with his grandchildren.
Starting on Monday 28 June, Prince Charles will be sharing a favourite book daily, along with the reason why that book is significant for him. The books include: Travels with Myself and Another – Five Journeys from Hell by Martha Gellhorn, Napoleon by Adam Zamoyski, The Battle of the Atlantic by Jonathan Dimbleby, Along the Enchanted Way by William Blacker, and Lustrum by Robert Harris.
The Duchess of Cornwall’s Reading Room has been incredibly popular. The Duchess realised during lock down that reading could still bring people together, and that technology could be used to help communities gather. In a Sunday Times interview, she said “I fervently hope that the Reading Room will be a resource, a reassurance and a refuge for all book lovers, on a digital desert island of our own.”
The Reading Room currently has over 112,000 followers on Instagram. Each season features four different books. The account also shares book club kits with discussion questions, interviews with the authors themselves, and author recommendations for other books readers might enjoy.
