Camilla, the Queen Consort, is launching a literary festival. The event will be held this summer in partnership with her literature charity, The Queen’s Reading Room, and held in the picturesque grounds of Hampton Court Palace.
Ticket-holders will be able immerse themselves in royal history, exploring the palace on literary-themed tours and walking where Shakespeare once performed with his King’s Men.
Visitors will also be able to stroll through the beautiful summer gardens, listen to poetry recitals, and enjoy performances from the likes of Judi Dench, Gyles Brandreth and Harriet Walter.
Queen Consort Camilla hosting a reception at Clarence House to celebrate two years of The Royal Reading Room
Camilla first launched The Royal Reading Room in January 2021 on Instagram, and it initially served as a place to share book recommendations and author interviews. Now, her venture is a registered charity with plans to host the literary festival annually.
“With their extraordinary power to educate and inspire, books – from authors around the globe – have enriched my life since I was a child,” says Camilla, on the charity’s official website. “It has therefore been such a joy to watch my Reading Room grow over the years into a thriving book community.
“Now a charity, I hope that we, together with our partners, can foster in adults and children alike a lifelong love of literature and connect more people with that special magic that can only be found in the leaves of a book.”
Queen Consort Camilla with the author Charlie Mackesy
The organisation aims to close the gap between writers and readers by making literature more accessible, educational and affordable.
The Queen’s Reading Room festival will take place on 11 June 2023. The full programme and tickets will be released early next month, with all proceeds going to The Royal Reading Room and Historic Royal Palaces charities. For more information head to royalreadingroom.uk.
