Queen Camilla rubs shoulders with Sex and the City star during outing | Royal | News
Queen Camilla was spotted teaming up with Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker during a reception at Clarence House this week. The Queen hosted shortlisted authors, judges and Booker Prize winners at the royal residence on Tuesday afternoon, after author David Szalay won the prize for his novel Flesh at the awards ceremony on Monday night.
The actress, who also has her own publishing company, SJP Lit, described her role on the judging panel for the prestigious literary award as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” and described the experience as “extraordinary”. The panel also included Guardian writer and literary critic Chris Power, Nigerian author and The Future Awards Africa Arts and Culture Prize winner Ayobami Adebayo, and American novelist Kiley Reid.
The jury was chaired by Booker Prize-winning Irish novelist Roddy Doyle.
It evaluated 153 books and was looking for the best works of long-form fiction by authors of any nationality, written in English and published in the UK and/or Ireland between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025.
Speaking about his role as a judge, the 60-year-old said: “I’ve been following the Booker Prize for years and I raised my hand jokingly, but I was approached by CEO Gaby Wood.
“It has been a truly remarkable experience.”
Parker added: “I missed a lot of dinners, I didn’t go to the theater or see a movie, but it was the kind of sacrifice that requires great nobility, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“Especially for a reader like me who loves nothing more than being between the pages of a truly special book.”
The actress and broadcaster also spoke about how the Queen shares her passion for literature, saying: “I greatly appreciate her interest and focus on literacy, reading and the way it enriches lives.”
Camilla is an avid reader and patron of many literary organisations, and hosted six of the 2024 Booker Prize nominees at Clarence House last year.
Describing herself as a “devoted” reader, Parker said: “I’m a broadcaster myself, so I think this is necessary, important and changing lives.” The Sex And The City star launched JP Lit in 2022 in partnership with independent publisher Zando.
The Queen described Parker’s involvement as “one of her many hats”, to which the actress responded: “That’s the thing I’m most proud of.”
Parker added: “It’s very exciting. We’re surrounded by wonderful, exciting writers.”
During the reception at the royal residence, the actress wore a vintage Dior jacket adorned with blue sequins and gold details, paired with a long black satin dress, pink Rene Caovilla heels and a Sonia Rykiel domino bag.
