Queen Camilla has issued a clarion call for increased reading engagement, emphasizing its importance as her charity, The Queen’s Reading Room, marks its fifth anniversary. The Queen stated it is “more urgent than ever” to promote reading, citing its numerous benefits. This announcement coincides with the release of a new photograph taken by royal photographer Chris Jackson, which shows Camilla reading Louise Penny’s *The Grey Wolf* in the garden of Raymill, her private residence in Wiltshire.
The photograph captures the Queen in a dark navy floral dress, sitting on steps surrounded by a vibrant display of potted flowers. She first founded her book club during the coronavirus lockdown, and what began as a simple initiative on social media has now reached over 12 million people across more than 180 countries. In 2023, The Queen’s Reading Room transitioned into a charity with a clear mission: to spread the joy of reading.
Despite the growing global reach of her initiative, Camilla expressed concern over declining reading rates. Currently, only one in two adults in the UK reads a book within a year, with 46% reporting difficulty in finishing a book due to distractions. The charity’s motto for 2026 is “Make Room for Reading,” encouraging individuals to dedicate just five minutes each day to reading. Recent neuroscientific research commissioned by the charity indicates that such short reading sessions can significantly reduce stress, enhance concentration, and foster a sense of connection.
Highlighting the health benefits of reading, the research suggests that it is as vital for wellbeing as engaging in 10,000 steps daily or consuming five portions of fruits and vegetables. The aim is to integrate this five-minute reading habit into daily life, making it as routine as physical exercise or healthy eating.
In a statement to the press, Camilla reflected on the origins of her initiative: “Five years ago, I founded a book club in lockdown, in the hope that others might derive as much enjoyment from good literature as I do.” She expressed pride in the charity’s accomplishments, which have included remarkable events and partnerships aimed at bringing literature to those who need it most.
The Queen noted that the charity’s groundbreaking research reinforces the transformative power of reading. “At a time when global reading rates are at their very lowest, my charity’s mission feels more urgent than ever. Books do make life better, and this is only the beginning,” she stated.
Over the past five years, Camilla has personally recommended 76 books, including notable titles such as Dame Hilary Mantel’s *The Mirror And The Light* and Delia Owens’ *Where The Crawdads Sing*. Contributions also came from prominent figures, including The King, the Princess of Wales, and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, with over 120 authors participating by recommending their favorite reads.
The charity’s chief executive, Vicki Perrin, described the initiative as Camilla’s “baby” and characterized the current decline in reading as a “reading crisis.” She expressed deep concern about falling literacy rates among children, citing a 2025 report from the National Literacy Trust, which revealed that only 32.7% of children aged eight to eighteen in the UK reported enjoying reading—the lowest level since data collection began in 2005.
To address these challenges, The Queen’s Reading Room hosts an annual literary festival, produces its own podcast, and has launched The Queen’s Reading Room Medal to honor local champions of reading, with the inaugural recipient set to be announced in the spring. The charity has also donated over 2,300 books to grassroots organizations, including 1,400 books to inpatients at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London. Additionally, it supports reading initiatives in homeless shelters and domestic violence refuges.
Queen Camilla’s ongoing commitment to literacy and the arts continues to inspire a global audience, reinforcing the vital role of reading in fostering personal growth, community connection, and overall well-being.
