Royal couple honors literary heritage and unveils Queen’s Reading Room Medal
King Charles and Queen Camilla came together to celebrate her literacy initiative, The Queen's Reading Room, at a special reception held at Clarence House.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of The Queen’s Reading Room Medal, a new award recognizing those dedicated to promoting books and storytelling within their communities. The first recipient will be announced in 2026.
The royal couple also commemorated the 250th anniversary of literary icon Jane Austen, viewing special items from Jane Austen House and the Royal Collection Trust alongside guests, including the Duchess of Gloucester and prominent authors.
Queen Camilla, a passionate advocate for literacy and reading, previously served as Patron for numerous literacy-focused charities, including the National Literacy Trust and Booktrust. Her initiative began as a lockdown project sharing book recommendations and has since evolved into an independent charity with podcasts and an annual literary festival.
Speaking at the event, the Queen emphasized literacy’s critical role in providing life opportunities, reflecting her longstanding commitment to fostering reading among people of all ages and backgrounds.
