Queen Camilla Follows in Charles's Footsteps With a Power Move — and We Are Not Surprised
Queen Camilla's love for books has culminated in a surprising new role, one that would certainly make King Charles proud.
It's no secret that Queen Camilla is an avid bookworm. Between state visits and public duties, her escape lies within the pages of a novel. It hence came as no surprise when, on March 25, Camilla revealed that she will appear in a new BBC documentary honoring the life-transforming power of books. King Charles, known to be a doting husband, will likely swell with pride, having recently wrapped a documentary himself on royal duty and environmental conservation.
Camilla reiterated her love for reading during a literacy event at Clarence House yesterday, which saw a gathering of renowned authors, literary community members, and representatives from the Queen's Reading Room, to celebrate the first recipients of the Queen's Reading Room Medal. In the reception, she caught her attendees off guard, albeit in a good way, when she said, "I'm also delighted to announce that we have partnered with the BBC and Blink Films for a major new documentary that will showcase the life-transforming power of books — my father's and my own experience included — for which the cameras are filming here today."
In a sweet gesture, she acknowledged her attendees' efforts in spreading the importance of reading, adding, "Those of you who were here last year will remember that we have created the Queen's Reading Room Medal to shine a light on the importance and impact of volunteering." She continued, "Nominations were received from all over the UK, with truly inspiring stories of people helping others to access books, spreading the joy of reading, and using it as a tool to improve even the toughest of lives." Along with Camilla, the upcoming documentary will also feature other individuals with inspirational stories of resilience and renewal brought about by reading.
After Camilla had finished her speech, Charles gave her a thunderous applause, with the pair pictured smiling and chatting later. He would certainly be proud of his wife, considering his own features in BBC documentaries celebrating his life. One of the key films that features him is Charles R: The Making of a Monarch, which analyses his life from childhood to the throne using personal footage and his narration. Another successful documentary, Charles III: The Coronation Year, focuses on his first year as king. His most recent documentary, Finding Harmony: A King's Vision, streaming on Amazon Prime, celebrates his passion for environmental conservation.
And as for the Queen's passion for books, she established the Queen's Reading Room to promote reading, access to books, and literacy. Originally started as an Instagram book club in 2021, it helps make literary content free and educational through its online platforms, so more people find and connect with books that enrich their lives. In multiple addresses to the crowd, Camilla has spoken about how books are not merely for entertainment but rather are a 'human right' in connecting people, educating them, and fostering empathy.
