The Queen joins Sarah Jessica Parker and Anna Wintour in starry reception at the New York Public Library and presents a surprise gift for the landmark’s collection

The Queen attended a lavish reception for New York’s literary community on Wednesday and toured an exhibition of Anglo-American items with actress Sarah Jessica Parker.

Camilla was also reunited with Vogue’s Global Editorial Director, Dame Anna Wintour, who whipped out her trademark sunglasses to greet the royal visitor with kisses.

The Queen, wearing a navy blue crepe silk dress and coat by Fiona Clare and a Britannia red, white and blue brooch belonging to the late Queen, was at the New York Public Library for the event hosted by the charity The Queen’s Reading Room.

US TV presenter and author Jenna Bush Hager, whose Read With Jenna book club features on NBC’s morning program the Today Show, said of the Queen as she introduced her to the room: ‘Books are part of her DNA.’

In her own speech, Camilla described the venue as ‘one of the greatest libraries in the world and somewhere I have always wanted to visit’.

Describing how her father instilled in her a love of reading as a child, she said: ‘In fact, the first Americans I knew and loved were the characters I met in my treasured children’s novels: Little Women, What Did Katy Do, Charlotte’s Web… Even then I knew that books were the best friends you could have, in good times and bad.’

Nearly 100 guests from the literary, publishing and cultural worlds from the United States and the United Kingdom, including singer Katherine Jenkins and authors Harlan Coben, Min Jin Lee and Tina Brown, gathered at the historic Stephen A. Schwarzman building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street.

The landmark dates back to 42nd Street in 1933 and has been featured in dozens of movies and TV shows, including Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Ghostbusters and Sex and the City.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Queen Camilla examine works on display during a literary event at the New York Public Library

Queen Camilla reads Winnie-the-Pooh to children during her visit to the New York Public Library to celebrate literature

In the second, Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw, is stood up in the library by Mr. Big on her wedding day and leaves, walking down the grand staircase of the library’s Astor Hall.

Camilla and Sarah Jessica echoed Carrie’s path down the stairs after meeting in London earlier this year and reuniting at the reception. The actor is a Booker Prize judge.

Speaking ahead of their meeting, he described the Queen’s visit as ‘wonderful for all New Yorkers’.

He added: ‘When we have the opportunity to talk about our libraries and literacy, I know the Queen spends a lot of time focusing on this in her country.

‘He talked about this opportunity for some kind of bridge project, and our libraries, you know, are very challenged with funding and support. I am so excited that we will be in this extraordinary building. ‘Patience and courage and underline this extraordinary repository for these documents and have made it their business to take the time to talk about this birthday and what lies here, showing our history.’

The last time he met the Queen, he said, ‘we talked about books’.

‘It was a thrill for all of us, especially as he seemed to envy spending time with books; She seems to love reading as much as we voracious readers do, and she also showed a lot of hospitality in her home to everyone who was there.

‘He spent so much time with each person that day and I’m so grateful that he shed light on reading and the relationship between reader and book and how that changes lives, enriches lives and fosters empathy and curiosity, and it means so much to Her Majesty.’

Queen Camilla speaks with Vogue’s British Global Editorial Director Anna Wintour during a literacy event at the New York Public Library on April 29, 2026 in New York

Queen Camilla greets Anna Wintour during literary gathering at the New York Public Library

Camilla and Anna Wintour pose for photos at the New York Library

Camilla presents a custom-made copy of Roo to the New York Public Library with Jim Cummings during a visit to the New York Public Library

Camilla speaks at literacy event in New York

Ueen Camilla speaks with representatives of domestic violence charities at a literacy event at the New York Public Library

When asked if Camilla had watched Sex and the City, she replied with a laugh: ‘I don’t know, I won’t ask.’

Following the reception, the two women joined Chief Librarian Brian Bannon to review matters relating to the 250th anniversary of America’s independence and the first edition of AA Milne’s ‘We Are Six Now’.

“Nice to see you again,” Camilla told the actress.

They were shown a map of New York that had been secretly created to defeat the British. Looking at the propaganda leaflets prepared to encourage people in the USA to revolution, the Queen said, ‘Extraordinary.’

Once downstairs, the Queen and Sarah Jessica joined young schoolchildren at the permanent Treasure Collection, which houses teddy bears that once belonged to Winnie the Pooh author AA Milne’s son Christopher.

The soft toys are believed to have inspired the beloved stories, which were first published 100 years ago in 1926.

Camilla also brought a new friend to the collection: Roo. The original Roo toy had been missing from the collection since the library acquired it, so the Queen gifted a replacement soft toy to complement it.

The custom-made toy was produced by British manufacturer Merrythinking and traveled with Camilla to the United States on a royal plane.

Gyles Brandreth, broadcaster and author of a new book about AA Milne and Winnie the Pooh, was there to encourage the children to bow and curtsy, and they loudly shouted ‘Hello, Your Majesty!’ When Camilla arrives.

Brandreth told children aged 6 to 10 that the original ‘Roo was lost in an orchard, probably eaten by Christopher Robin’s dog.’ After hearing breathing from across the room, Brandreth added, “I apologize for bringing it up.” A little unpleasant. There should have been a trigger warning, I’m sorry.’

The Queen’s horse then presented the tiny kangaroo to her on a Union flag pillow, and she presented it to NYPL President Dr. He handed it over to Anthony Marx.

Camilla then sat in a chair to read a passage from a Winnie the Pooh book and then met Jim Cummings, 73, who recorded the voices of both the honey-loving bear and his friend Tigger in the film version of the book.

Finally, children gathered around the Queen to take photos. A boy said to her, ‘I saw you on the news, you were wearing a pink dress.’

The Queen also met with representatives of domestic violence charities and New York City and State agencies involved in domestic violence prevention and social services

Camilla holds a bouquet of flowers while attending a literacy event at the New York Public Library on April 29, 2026 in New York City

Speaking later, Cummings, who lives in California, was asked if he had ever met the Queen.

‘I don’t have any. “He’s avoiding me,” he joked. Cummings added: ‘It was an honour. Unbelievable. “Simply magnificent.”

During her visit to the library, the Queen also met with representatives of domestic violence charities and New York City and State agencies involved in domestic violence prevention and social services. He learned more about these agencies’ work to provide emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and ongoing support to survivors and their families.

He spent time chatting to each of them and one charity CEO said: ‘I just want to say, it was a fantastic day and thank you for meeting us, it means so much.’

The New York Public Library was founded in 1895 and houses more than 50 million works.