Queen Consort Camilla appears to weigh in to Roald Dahl edit furore

The Queen Consort appeared to make a thinly-veiled reference to the controversial editing of Roald Dahl’s classic works – and she didn’t mince her words.

Camilla, Queen Consort. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The Queen Consort has appeared to weigh in on the controversy surrounding censorship of beloved children’s author Roald Dahl’s books, urging a roomful of authors to “remain true” to their calling.

As debate swirled around the recent editing during reprinting of Dahl’s books, Camilla reportedly spoke to a roomful of writers for a reception promoting her book club at her London home, Clarence House.

“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,” she said.

According to The Australian, she then looked up and smiled, adding: “Enough said,” which attracted cheers of “hear, hear.”

Among those present at the event were acclaimed British novelists Philippa Gregory, Charlie Mackesy and William Boyd.

During her speech, The Australian reports, the Queen then quoted Nobel Prize literary winner John Steinbeck, saying: “But let there be no squeaking like mice about your achievements, but only roaring like a pride of lions.”

Camilla chatted to guests at a reception to celebrate the second anniversary of The Reading Room at Clarence House. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Earlier this week, it was revealed that negative references to characters’ appearances were being edited or wiped entirely from Dahl’s most popular stories, including Matilda, The BFG and The Witches.

The changes came after Puffin – the publisher behind his classic works – hired sensitivity readers to make certain changes to Dahl’s wording in the UK editions as part of an effort to ensure the books “can continue to be enjoyed by all today”.

According to the UK’s Telegraph, the chubby character in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Augustus Gloop, is now described as “enormous”, while Mr. Twit from The Twits is now just “beastly” instead of “ugly and beastly”.

Matilda.

The BFG.

The paragraph in The Witches referencing that witches being bald beneath their wings had had an additional line added, which reads: “There are plenty of other reasons why women might wear wigs and there is certainly nothing wrong with that”.

Meanwhile, in Matilda, the terrifying Mrs. Trunchbull is no longer described as having a “great horsey face”, with the text now simply referencing her “face”.

The changes have been met with a fierce backlash, with critics accusing the publishing house of censorship.

In a statement to The Independent, the Roald Dahl Story Company said: “We want to ensure that Roald Dahl’s wonderful stories and characters continue to be enjoyed by all children today.

“When publishing new print runs of books written years ago, it’s not unusual to review the language used, alongside updating other details including a book’s cover and page layout.”