What began as Queen Camilla’s collection of literary recommendations has become a charity with an international audience, an annual festival and conversations with some of today’s most prominent writers. The Queen’s Reading Room brings together royal book selections, guest recommendations and interviews that are available to readers well beyond Britain.
For American readers, the most interesting aspect may be the breadth of its literary programming. Alongside the Queen’s own selections, the project features other prominent readers, established novelists and discussions that range from the writing process to the enduring influence of particular books.
How a lockdown reading list became a charity
In 2020, when many readers were spending more time at home, Camilla shared reading recommendations. The project moved to Instagram in January 2021, when she was still Duchess of Cornwall, and became a charity in 2023. Speaking at the 2026 festival at Chatsworth, Camilla described the idea as a way to share a love of books.
From reading list to literary festival
2020: Camilla shares reading recommendations during lockdown.
January 2021: The Reading Room launches on Instagram.
2023: It becomes a charity and holds its first festival at Hampton Court Palace.
2025: The festival moves to Chatsworth in Derbyshire.
The festival gives the project a public stage, with author talks, readings and workshops. The charity also works with groups that have fewer chances to gather around a book. At Chatsworth, for example, it has described a partnership with The Elm Foundation and WORTH that supports shared reading groups through book donations, practical guidance and mentoring.
What American readers can explore
The Reading Room’s website maintains a collection of books selected by Camilla, alongside recommendations from invited guests. Among those contributors is Catherine, Princess of Wales, whose selections include children’s literature. The archives are publicly accessible online, with titles spanning different authors, periods and genres.
Explore the Reading Room
The Queen’s selections: A searchable collection of Camilla’s recommended books.
Guest recommendations: Literary choices from invited contributors, including members of the Royal Family.
Author conversations: The official podcast archive includes a conversation with Booker Prize winner Bernardine Evaristo about her early literary influences.
The charity’s festival archive offers a look at its talks and programming. The in-person festival is a separate ticketed event, but the reading recommendations and podcast are publicly available online, including in the United States. The distinction is useful for readers following the project from outside Britain.
Children’s literature is another recurring theme in Camilla’s public literary work. Our earlier feature on her celebration of Winnie-the-Pooh’s 100th anniversary explores that connection.
Let’s talk books. Have you read any of Queen Camilla’s selections, or is there a novel you think deserves a place on her list? We’d love to hear your recommendations, favorite authors and differing opinions. What’s your take? Join the conversation in the comments below. No login required.
Sources: Queen Camilla’s Chatsworth speech; The Queen’s Reading Room’s account of its work, festival archive and book recommendations; official podcast archive.
Featured image: Editorial watercolor illustration for Royally Inspired, created with AI assistance.
