Queen Camilla hosts JK Rowling at royal residence | Royal | News
The Queen hosted JK Rowling at the Palace of Holyroodhouse this afternoon and the pair discussed their shared passion for children’s literacy. The Harry Potter author, who has twice rejected royalty and also rejected ladyship, accepted the honor of having a private chat with Her Majesty to discuss the importance of ensuring young people have access to books.
Camilla was photographed standing smiling alongside the author as the pair met at the Edinburgh royal residence to discuss the importance of young people’s access to books. Both women are passionate advocates of efforts to improve literacy, and Rowling’s wizarding series has been enjoyed by many royals, including the King; Camilla previously revealed her husband was “clever” at making out all the sounds when reading the books to his grandchildren.
A post on the monarchy’s official social media read: “With a shared passion for books and a deep commitment to children reading for pleasure, the Queen and author JK Rowling met at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
“Her Majesty and Ms. Rowling discussed the importance of ensuring young people have access to books and the vital role of reading plays in opening doors for future generations.”
Buckingham Palace did not provide further details about their meeting.
The pair met at Holyrood in June 2011, where they also discussed ways to encourage children to read. Rowling was awarded an OBE in 2001 and made a Companion of Honor in 2017 for her work, but has declined further recognition.
Rowling, who also used the pseudonym Robert Galbraith in her crime fiction series, was named a literary hero by the National Literacy Trust, of which the Queen is patron, for helping a generation of children turn into readers.
The Harry Potter series has sold more than 600 million copies worldwide and continues to inspire children to read almost 30 years after the first installment was published in 1997.
As an avid reader, the Queen has devoted much of her work to promoting literature, and her charity The Queen’s Reading Room has published research showing that reading for just five minutes a day provides significant health benefits, such as reducing stress and improving concentration.
JK Rowling has become known for her outspoken views and has been accused of transphobia for her views on gender identity, which she has previously denied.
Camilla squeezed in the meeting on the busy opening day of Royal Week, when she visited the Royal Scottish Academy and attended a garden party with the King, the Princess Crown and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The King also attended the historic Key Ceremony, hosting a ceremony and holding private audiences.
