Queen meets the Queen of fiction as Garden Party radiates both majesty and magic

One is the queen of children’s literature and the other is the Queen.

And yesterday Camilla held an audience with Harry Potter creator JK Rowling at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

The pair were photographed smiling and standing side by side as they discussed the importance of young people having access to books.

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.’

The royal family is in Scotland for a week of fighting north of the Border.

When 77-year-old King Charles arrived in the capital, he was welcomed by the Royal Scottish Regiment Orchestra and the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Scottish Regiment, Pipes and Drums, accompanied by the declaration “I will be (500 miles)”.

The bands also treated him to a Tartan Army anthem called ‘Yes Sir, I Can Boogie’ by Spanish duo Baccara.

He was joined on the palace grounds by nearly 200 guests, including Ms Rowling, as well as his brother Prince Edward and sister Princess Anne, who were invited to thank him for his work in the local community.

Young Isla Grist, who suffers from the rare butterfly skin condition, life-limiting Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), met the King and Queen at the event.

He was accompanied by his mother Rachael Grist, former Scotland footballer Graeme Souness, chairman of the EB charity DEBRA and his wife Karen.

The 17-year-old, from the Black Isle, north of Inverness, said after meeting the Royal couple: ‘He asked me about the charity Graeme and I were involved in and was quite pleased with his knowledge and I talked about the charity and how much effort we had put into having EB.

‘It was very exciting and I was a little nervous but mostly excited. “It was a great honor.”

Mr Souness added: ‘Not many people get to meet the King and Queen and I’m from Edinburgh, living in my own city, so being excited would be an understatement.

‘We’re a small charity, EB affects five thousand people in the UK and so we have to raise money and raise people’s awareness.

‘Awareness is everything. When you get deeper into this situation, it becomes sad to witness.

King Charles, along with his wife Camilla and siblings Prince Edward and Princess Anne, are north of the Border in Scotland for a week of engagements.

Princess Anne speaks to guests during the Garden Party in the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse

Teenager Isla Grist, who suffers from the rare butterfly skin condition, the life-limiting Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), met the King and Queen at the Garden Party.

‘I hope that pictures of Isla with the King and Queen will appear everywhere and that will help us a lot because this is all about awareness.’

Pop star Eve Graham, singer of the 1970s band New Seekers, became an MBE at King’s inauguration, while former Hearts chairman Anne Budge and former Scotland rugby captain Rob Wainwright also became OBEs.

Ms Graham, from Perth, said being included in the New Year Honors list was a complete surprise.

He said: ‘I was in America last November, singing there. When I returned two days later, there was this letter on the doorstep.

‘Suddenly something happened and I was still suffering from jetlag. This was truly surprising and humbling.

‘Even though I’ve had a great career, the last thing I expected was to be honored for it.’

He achieved international success with tracks such as New Seekers, I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing, and became Britain’s 1972 Eurovision entry.

Ms Budge resigned from her long-standing role as Hearts chairman at the end of last year but remains honorary chairman.

The businesswoman said the investment was a ‘lovely, pleasant experience’.

He said Hearts had had ‘ups and downs’ during his tenure but were still on an upward trajectory.

The event was attended by approximately 200 guests who were invited to thank them for their work in the local community.

Prince Eward, Duke of Edinburgh, also attended the Garden Party held in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse

Ms Budge said: ‘I still have my season ticket, I’ve never given it up.

‘I haven’t enjoyed the last few months at all because it’s really hard to stand back when you’ve been so intensely involved for such a long time.

‘With this, I am now the honorary president.

‘This actually means I don’t have to do anything except get thrown out every now and then. So that’s pretty nice.”

Mr Wainwright, who has dedicated himself to fundraising for the MND charity My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, founded by his late friend and Scotland star Doddie Weir, said it was ‘a real honor to meet the King and be recognised’.

He said: ‘I was in great company with really interesting people who were doing great things.’

Earlier in the day, during a visit to the Royal Academy of Scottish Art and Architecture celebrating its bicentenary, Queen Camilla said she was determined to ‘nudge her husband in the right direction’ to have some of his paintings exhibited in Scotland.

He was speaking at the academy as part of Her Majesty’s annual Royal Week in the country.

Towards the end of his hour-long visit, he told guests: ‘Before I leave, can I just say how proud I am to be your boss? I think this will be the first of many visits because I know you have so many wonderful collections that I would absolutely love to come and take a look.

‘Unfortunately, I do not have the talent that my husband or my late father-in-law had. I’m trying to paint very badly. But unfortunately I don’t have much time. But there’s nothing I enjoy more than looking at other people’s work.’

Queen Camilla visited the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture, which is celebrating its bicentenary, earlier in the day

‘There’s nothing I enjoy more than looking at other people’s work,’ he said

Chairman Gareth Fisher asked for everyone’s best wishes to the King and said they hoped he would continue painting.

“He needs encouragement,” Queen Camilla laughed.

‘I hope he can bring some of his paintings here one day.’

He was told that the homeowners would ‘love to have one of the Scottish views’ and he replied: ‘Well, I’ll tell him about it.’ I’ll nudge him in the right direction.’

‘I’m so proud to be a part of this.’

Founded in 1826, the academy’s long-serving honorary academic was the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, with whom they shared a relationship that lasted more than 50 years.

Before leaving, the Queen signed a guest book and cut a beautifully decorated birthday cake.

Meanwhile, Prince William was in Aberdeen to celebrate the third anniversary of the Royal Foundation’s Back Home programme.

Visited Langstane Housing Association, a Homeward delivery partner and registered social landlord.

The Duke of Rothesay, known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, was recruited and engaged to support staff and residents as they helped prepare welcome packs containing essential items for people settling into their new homes.