Queen describes reading charity’s mission as ‘more urgent than ever’
Queen underlines mission ‘more urgent than ever’ charity, Queen’s Reading Room, As it celebrates its fifth anniversary, it claims that “books make life better.”
Founded by Camilla during quarantineThe initiative has grown into a global charity connecting more than 186,000 book enthusiasts in more than 180 countries. Despite this access, the King’s wife has expressed concern about declining global reading rates.
Only one in two adults in the UK read a book a year and 46 per cent struggle to finish a book due to distraction. The charity’s anniversary slogan is “Make Room for Reading”, simply reading books for five minutes a dayWe aim to “light little fires” with small, positive changes, similar to 10,000 steps or five portions of fruit and vegetables.
Neuroscience research highlights the direct benefits of reading short fiction: approximately 20 percent reduction in stress, 11 percent improvement in concentration, and reduced loneliness. Globally, Unicef An estimated 70 percent of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries will be unable to understand a simple written story by 2022, the report said. This rate is a significant increase from 57 percent before the pandemic.
Queen Camilla celebrates fifth anniversary of Reading Room book club (PA)
Reflecting on her origins, Camilla told The Guardian: Press Association: “Five years ago, I started a book club in lockdown in the hope that others could enjoy good literature as much as I do. Since those humble beginnings, this book club has grown into a global charity, supporting a community of book lovers united by a shared belief in the power of reading.”
He added: “I’m proud that my charity reaches millions of people, organizes extraordinary events and partners with incredible organizations to bring books to the people who need them most. Its groundbreaking research has confirmed what many of us have always felt: reading truly changes the way we perceive, the way we think and the way we connect. At a time when global reading rates are at their lowest, my charity’s mission feels more urgent than ever. Books make life better, and this is just the beginning.”
The charity’s chief executive, Vicki Perrin, praised the Queen for bringing her “special magic” to the organisation, and insisted the Queen remained Camilla’s “baby”. Ms Perrin confirmed that the Queen had personally selected all the books featured in the club.
Mrs Perrin explained: “He founded the charity. It’s very much his baby… He still picks all the books for the book club and is by far the most well-read person I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. When I go to see him, most of the time the defining image of Her Majesty is on his armchair, on his side table, with piles of books at his feet, and he’s talking about the last book he’s read and he’s got proof that a new book is coming out and he’s really enjoying it.”
Queen Camilla meets author Charlie Mackesy and his dog Barney while hosting a reception at Clarence House in London (PA)
The CEO also highlighted the charity’s impact, highlighting letters from around the world describing the “transformative” impact of incorporating more reading into lives. Ms Perrin expressed deep concern about falling reading rates among children, describing current reading levels as a “reading crisis”. The National Literacy Foundation, of which Camilla is a patron, reported that by 2025, only 32.7% of children and young people aged eight to 18 in England would enjoy reading; This rate is the lowest since 2005.
The project began in 2020, when Camilla shared a list of nine favorite books “literally scribbled on a piece of paper” during the first lockdown. Officially launched on Instagram in January 2021, the platform has evolved into a community hub featuring Camilla’s recommendations and author interviews. Over five years, the Queen personally recommended 76 books, including those by Dame Hilary Mantel. Mirror and Light and Delia Owens Where the Crawdads Sing. Popular options include Anthony Horowitz Magpie Murders and Maggie O’Farrell hamnet.
The book club has expanded its reach to become The Queen’s Reading Room charity in 2023, hosting an annual literary festival, launching a podcast and introducing The Queen’s Reading Room Medal to honor local reading champions. The charity has also donated more than 2,300 books to 11 bases, including 1,400 to inpatients at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, and supports reading groups in St Mungo’s homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters.
Queen Camilla places books at the donation point for the Queen’s Reading Room, which will be distributed to Elm Foundation service users (PAs) along with all books donated throughout the festival
Ms Perrin shared how staff in St Mungo’s monitored reading groups “sparked something” in individuals at high risk of returning to the streets. “It’s really about starting little fires… creating moments where we step in and help our partners develop ideas that will be transformative,” he concluded, underlining the vital role of the charity. The King and Princess of Wales and Queen Mathilde of Belgium also contributed to the election.
