‘Naysayers’: Queen claims victory over online reading club with 12 million members
By Victoria Ward
London: Queen Camilla has claimed victory over the many “naysayers” who did not believe her online book club would be a success.
As she marked the fourth anniversary of The Queen’s Reading Room at a star-studded reception at Clarence House this week, Camilla revealed that she had built a “family” of 12 million readers spanning 173 countries.
She said her aim was simply to “make life better”.
Queen Camilla speaks as King Charles looks on during a reception to mark the launch of the Queen’s reading room medal at Clarence House on Tuesday.Credit: Getty Images
The Queen was supported by her family, with King Charles, her sister Annabel Elliot, and children Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes mingling with a host of authors and literary figures.
Among those gathered were actors Richard E Grant, Freddie Fox and Sigourney Weaver, and authors including Jilly Cooper, Anthony Horowitz, Peter James, Kate Atkinson, Elif Shafak and Donna Tartt.
She announced the launch of The Queen’s Reading Room Medal, which will recognise those who champion books and storytelling in their local communities.
King Charles and others applaud Queen Camilla on her book club efforts to inspire more people to read.Credit: Getty Images
The Queen’s Reading Room started life as a lockdown reading list but has evolved to become a registered charity, which runs a hugely popular podcast, hosts an annual festival and has commissioned pioneering research.
“From its humble beginnings (amid the voices of quite a few naysayers), my Reading Room now reaches over 12 million people in 173 countries each year, with nearly 20,000 visitors to our festivals to date,” the Queen told guests, to gasps and cheers.
“It is because of the gift of writers like you, and because of the passion of every person in this room for promoting literacy and a love of literature, that we have been able to build such a family of readers. Long may we continue to be inspired by you all.”
Watched by Charles, Camilla added: “Through literature, we experience life through another’s eyes, we are comforted, strengthened, we laugh, we cry, we travel to different lands, and we escape the real world.
Queen Camilla, left, attends a book reading at the Banbridge Library on a royal visit to Northern Ireland earlier this month.Credit: AP
“In short, books, and those who create them, make life better... much better – so thank you! Making life better is the ultimate aim of my Reading Room.”
The Queen said books made for a happier, healthier and more connected society, improving mental health and our understanding of the world.
As she finished her speech, Charles gave her an affectionate pat on the back.
Last year, a report published by the National Literary Trust found that reading rates in the UK were the lowest on record, with one in two adults not reading a book at all in the previous year.
The Reading Room medal aims to highlight the work of “reading heroes” across the country who are helping their communities overcome that reading crisis.
From April 1, anyone over the age of 18 can nominate themselves or another person for the award, with the first recipient announced next year.
The award’s judging panel consists of heavyweight literary figures from across the industry, including Jonathan Douglas, chief executive of the National Literary Trust, and Dame Gail Rebuck, chairman of Penguin Random House, the publisher.
As the King and Queen arrived at the reception, coming down the stairs from their private apartment, Charles spotted actress Miriam Margolyes and immediately reached out to hold her hand. “Wonderful to see you,” he said.
After Camilla’s speech, Margolyes greeted her warmly, joking: “I’ve got to try and curtsy without falling down.” Camilla laughed, replying: “Here, let me hold you up!”
King Charles with actress Miriam Margolyes during a reception to mark the launch of the Queen’s reading room medal.Credit: Getty Images
A selection of items from Jane Austen’s House and birthplace in Chawton, Hampshire, and from the Royal Collection were also on display, marking the 250th anniversary of the author’s birth.
They included a Royal Collection second edition of Sense and Sensibility, and a drawing by Austen’s sister, Cassandra.
Camilla is a long-standing campaigner on literacy and reading, and is patron of organisations including the National Literacy Trust, First Story, Corma Beanstalk and Booktrust.
The Telegraph, London