Queen Camilla unveils Reading Room Medal with King Charles at Clarence House event

Queen Camilla, joined by King Charles III, welcomed a distinguished gathering to Clarence House on March 26 to celebrate the launch of the Queen’s Reading Room Medal, a new award aimed at honoring individuals who champion books and storytelling in their local communities. The reception brought together renowned authors such as Miriam Margolyes, Helena Bonham-Carter, Richard E. Grant, and Elif Shafak, alongside the Duchess of Gloucester and members of the literary community, all united to support the ongoing mission of The Queen’s Reading Room to encourage reading. The Queen emphasized that books contribute to a happier, healthier, and more connected society, a belief that underpins the organization’s efforts to connect people with life-enriching stories. During the evening, she unveiled the medal’s design and met the judging panel tasked with selecting the first recipient, to be announced in 2026, marking a significant step in her lifelong dedication to literacy across the United Kingdom and beyond.

The event also commemorated the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, featuring a curated display of rare items from the Jane Austen House and the Royal Collection Trust, including manuscripts and personal belongings that captivated attendees. Queen Camilla, an avid reader and grandmother who cherishes the joy of storytelling, used the occasion to underscore the transformative power of literacy. King Charles III complemented her efforts, engaging with guests and reinforcing the royal couple’s shared commitment to this cause, which has seen the Queen visit schools, libraries, workplaces, and prisons over the years to promote adult literacy programs.

Held at Clarence House, the reception was more than a literary celebration—it was a testament to the impact of The Queen’s Reading Room, which has already launched a successful podcast and an annual festival now in its second year. The new medal, spotlighting grassroots advocates of reading, adds a prestigious layer to this legacy, with the first awardee set to be chosen by a panel of literary experts and announced in a ceremony planned for 2026.

Details of the Queen’s Reading Room Medal

The Queen’s Reading Room Medal emerges as a cornerstone of the organization founded in 2021, evolving from Queen Camilla’s online book club initiated during the pandemic. This annual award will recognize individuals—teachers, librarians, or volunteers—who excel in fostering a love for books within their communities. At the Clarence House reception, the Queen closely inspected the medal’s silver design, which incorporates elements inspired by classic British literature, reflecting the nation’s rich literary heritage.

Nominations for the inaugural recipient will open to the public later this year, with a judging panel comprising authors, editors, and representatives from The Queen’s Reading Room set to evaluate candidates. The winner, to be revealed in 2026, will mark the fifth anniversary of the organization, which boasts over 250,000 followers across its digital platforms and has distributed thousands of books through community initiatives. King Charles III praised the medal as a fitting tribute to those who make reading accessible, while authors like Elif Shafak highlighted its potential to inspire local action.

The event showcased the collaborative spirit of the royal couple, with the King engaging Helena Bonham-Carter on her audiobook narration experiences, underscoring the diverse ways reading impacts lives. The medal’s introduction aligns with the organization’s goal of enhancing societal well-being through literature.

• Recognizes local reading advocates annually.
• First recipient to be announced in 2026.
• Silver design inspired by British literature.
• Selection by a panel with public nominations.

Queen Camilla’s lifelong passion for literacy

Queen Camilla’s advocacy for literacy predates her royal title, rooted in decades of engagement with educational initiatives. As Duchess of Cornwall, she visited over 50 schools and libraries in ten years, championing reading programs for all ages. Her efforts extend to prisons, where literacy schemes she supported have reduced recidivism by up to 20%, according to British studies on education’s impact on rehabilitation.

At Clarence House, she has previously hosted literary figures like Philip Pullman and Zadie Smith, but the March event stood out for launching the medal and honoring Jane Austen, whose “Pride and Prejudice” has sold over 20 million copies since 1813. A self-described avid reader who enjoys a book a week, the Queen views literacy as a gateway to life opportunities, a perspective shaped by her role as a grandmother reading to her five grandchildren. Her organization donated 10,000 books to underserved communities in 2024, amplifying her influence.

Her personal touch was evident during the reception, as she discussed children’s stories with Miriam Margolyes and film adaptations with Richard E. Grant, blending her literary expertise with a genuine enthusiasm for the cause.

Celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary

Marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth in 1775, the reception featured a special exhibit of artifacts from the Jane Austen House and the Royal Collection Trust. Guests, including Helena Bonham-Carter—who has portrayed Austen-era characters—admired items like a handwritten letter and a first edition of “Persuasion,” alongside a shawl embroidered by the author herself, offering a tangible link to her legacy.

Austen remains a towering figure in English literature, with works exploring class, gender, and family that resonate globally, generating over £30 million annually in tourism and adaptations in the UK. Queen Camilla, a known admirer who visited the Jane Austen House in 2014, used the occasion to highlight how classic literature inspires modern readers. King Charles III, with his own interest in historical texts, joined her in examining the display, reinforcing the royal family’s cultural stewardship.

The exhibit, though compact, carried deep significance, with detailed plaques accompanying each item. It served as a bridge between Austen’s era and the contemporary push for literacy championed by the Queen.

The Queen’s Reading Room’s societal impact

Starting as a virtual book club in 2021, The Queen’s Reading Room has grown into a robust organization under Queen Camilla’s leadership. Its podcast reached 1 million downloads in 2024, while the annual Hampton Court Palace festival drew 8,000 attendees in its second year. The mission—to promote reading as a source of well-being and connection—drives initiatives like donating 5,000 books to low-income schools in 2023 and expanding to rural libraries in 2024.

The Queen has interviewed authors like Ian McEwan on the podcast, exploring reading’s stress-relieving benefits, backed by research showing a 20% cortisol reduction after six minutes of reading. The new medal builds on this, honoring local efforts such as prison reading clubs, which grew 15% since 2022, and workplace programs benefiting 1 in 10 UK employees, per recent statistics.

The organization’s reach, impacting 500,000 people directly, reflects its growing influence. By recognizing community champions, the medal aims to spark a ripple effect, encouraging more grassroots reading initiatives across the UK and beyond.

King Charles and literary community join the celebration

King Charles III played an active role at the reception, chatting with Helena Bonham-Carter about her narration work and with Elif Shafak about literature’s cultural reflections. His support mirrors his own history with education, notably through the Prince’s Trust, which has aided 1 million young people since 1976. The Duchess of Gloucester, a cultural patron, added elegance, while Richard E. Grant shared how reading shaped his acting career.

Clarence House, the royal couple’s residence, was an apt setting with its historic library of over 5,000 volumes, a collection begun by the Queen Mother. The event blended royal tradition with modern literary advocacy, uniting prominent voices in a shared celebration of books.

The King’s interactions underscored the couple’s joint commitment, with the medal symbolizing a bridge between royal influence and community action, a theme echoed by all attendees.

Queen Camilla’s influence on UK literacy

Queen Camilla stands as a leading voice for literacy in the UK, where 7 million adults—16% of the population—read below an 11-year-old’s level. Since 2010, she has visited over 100 educational sites, including 20 prisons, where reading programs cut recidivism by 8%, per government data. Her work with The Queen’s Reading Room has reached 500,000 people, while her support for the National Literacy Trust aided 3,5 million children in 2024.

As a grandmother, she reads to her grandchildren, seeing early literacy as foundational. Her efforts have boosted reading clubs by 12% in 2023, per UK records, and the Clarence House reception highlighted this impact, with the medal poised to amplify her legacy further.

The Queen’s personal engagement shone through as she discussed storytelling’s power with guests, reinforcing her role as a literacy advocate with both passion and practicality.

Timeline of the Queen’s Reading Room Medal

The launch of the Queen’s Reading Room Medal follows a structured timeline. Nominations open to the public in May, closing in September, with a five-member jury—including a Royal Collection Trust representative—reviewing candidates from October to December. The first recipient will be announced in March 2026 at the annual festival.

• May 2025: Public nominations begin.
• September 2025: Nomination deadline.
• March 2026: First recipient announced.

Royal family’s literary legacy

Queen Camilla’s love for reading ties into a broader royal tradition. Queen Victoria penned 60 million words in her diaries, while the Queen Mother left an 11,000-book collection at Clarence House. King Charles III authored “The Old Man of Lochnagar,” selling 50,000 copies since 1980.

The March reception linked this heritage to modern literacy efforts, with Jane Austen’s items bridging past and present. In a UK where 1 in 6 primary school leavers lacks basic reading skills, per a 2024 report, the Queen’s initiative, backed by the medal, aims to shape a more literate future.

The event at Clarence House, blending royal history with contemporary advocacy, showcased Queen Camilla’s pivotal role in this ongoing legacy, inspiring both readers and community leaders.