Queen Camilla has issued a passionate plea for increased reading among the public, declaring it “more urgent than ever” to embrace the joys of literature. As she marks the fifth anniversary of her Reading Room book club, the Queen emphasizes the profound benefits of reading, stating, “Books do make life better.” A new photograph taken by royal photographer Chris Jackson accompanies the announcement, depicting the Queen reading Louise Penny’s novel, The Grey Wolf, in her garden at Raymill, her private residence in Wiltshire.
The Queen founded her book club during the coronavirus lockdown in 2020, beginning as a simple initiative on Instagram. Over the past five years, it has evolved into a global charity, reaching over 12 million people across more than 180 countries. In 2023, The Queen’s Reading Room officially became a charity dedicated to spreading the joy of reading.
Despite the charity’s success, Camilla expressed alarm at the declining global reading rates. Currently, only one in two adults in the UK reads a book in a year, with 46% of individuals admitting they struggle to complete a book due to distractions. In response, the charity has adopted the motto “Make Room for Reading” for 2026, encouraging people to dedicate just five minutes each day to read.
Research commissioned by the charity revealed that even short reading sessions can significantly reduce stress, enhance concentration, and foster social connections. The findings suggest that reading offers health benefits comparable to walking 10,000 steps or consuming five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. The goal is for daily reading to become as routine as physical exercise and healthy eating.
In her remarks to the press, Queen Camilla reflected on her journey: “Five years ago, I founded a book club in lockdown, in the hope that others might derive as much enjoyment from good literature as I do. Since those humble beginnings, that book club has grown into a global charity, supporting a community of book lovers, united by a shared belief in the power of reading.”
The Queen highlighted the charity’s achievements, noting its remarkable events and partnerships with various organizations to make literature accessible to those in need. She stated, “Its groundbreaking research has confirmed what many of us always felt: reading truly changes how we perceive, how we think and how we connect. At a time when global reading rates are at their very lowest, my charity’s mission feels more urgent than ever.”
Over the past five years, Camilla has personally recommended 76 books, beginning with titles such as Dame Hilary Mantel‘s The Mirror and the Light, William Boyd‘s Restless, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, and The Architect’s Apprentice by Elif Shafak. Contributions have also come from The King, The Princess of Wales, and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, along with more than 120 authors who have shared their favorite reads.
Vicki Perrin, chief executive of the charity, described the initiative as Camilla’s “baby.” She expressed deep concern about the current “reading crisis,” particularly among children. According to the National Literacy Trust, of which Camilla is a patron, only 32.7% of children and young people aged eight to 18 in the UK reported enjoying reading in 2025, the lowest level recorded since 2005.
The charity has established an annual literary festival, launched a podcast, and initiated the Queen’s Reading Room Medal to honor unsung heroes who promote reading, with the first recipient set to be announced in the spring. Additionally, it has donated over 2,300 books to grassroots organizations, including 1,400 books to inpatients at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, and has supported reading initiatives at St Mungo’s homeless shelters and domestic violence refuges.
As she continues to advocate for literacy, Queen Camilla remains committed to making reading a priority, believing that the simple act of engaging with a book can have lasting positive effects on individual well-being and community connection.
