Queen Camilla discusses her literacy campaigns affectionately
Queen Camilla recently graced the third annual Queen's Reading Room Festival, held at the magnificent Chatsworth House in Derbyshire. The event, which celebrates books, reading, and the charity's outreach programs, attracted a gathering that included Celia Imrie and Richard Osman.
During her speech, Queen Camilla emphasised the mental and emotional benefits of reading, citing scientific research. She shared her commitment to promoting the joy of reading and literacy, a cause close to her heart.
The Queen's Reading Room, which started as a small personal project during the first Covid lockdown, has grown into an online community of over 180,000 members. This vibrant community reaches an annual audience of 12 million people across 183 countries.
In her address, Queen Camilla referenced Jane Austen's character, Lizzie Bennet, from Pride and Prejudice. She quoted, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that books make life better," a line that resonated with the audience.
Queen Camilla also jokingly suggested a re-enactment of Mr. Darcy's lake scene from Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth's lake. The audience laughed at the playful reference, adding a touch of whimsy to the event.
Queen Camilla also shared the origin story of her global reading initiative. The Reading Room initially consisted of a list of nine favourite novels. Over time, it has evolved into a platform that promotes reading and literacy, making a significant impact on people's lives.
However, the search results do not provide information on who inspired Queen Camilla to found her Reading Room. Regardless, her passion for reading and her dedication to promoting literacy are evident in the success of the Queen's Reading Room.
The third annual Queen's Reading Room Festival was a celebration of books, reading, and the charity's outreach programs. It was a testament to Queen Camilla's belief in the power of reading and her commitment to making a difference in people's lives.
