Queen Consort says reading with her grandchildren is ‘a wonderful way to get to know them’ as she speaks with a British poet for World Book Day
- Queen Consort discussed reading with her grandchildren for World Book Day
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The Queen Consort has recalled reading with her grandchildren as ‘a wonderful way of getting to know them’.
To mark World Book Day on Thursday, Camilla, 75, sat down with Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho to discuss their shared love of books and reveal their favourite tales as a child.
She also reflected on how reading to her grandchildren has been a ‘wonderful’ bonding experience which has helped them to become bookworms.
A video of the conversation, which was recorded last month in the Clarence House Library, was released by BookTrust to mark the annual book day which encourages children to read for pleasure.
Discussing reading with her grandchildren, Camilla said: ‘It was just a wonderful way of getting to know them, as you say, bonding. Sitting on the end of their bed and just reading.
To mark World Book Day on Thursday, Camilla, 75, sat down with Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho to discuss their shared love of books and reveal their favourite tales as a child
‘We took it in turn to find our favourite stories and what’s lovely is it’s really got them reading. They are bookworms now.
‘It’s so lovely if I go and see them, I find them tucked up in bed with a book saying: ‘Please don’t turn off the light, I’ve got to finish this chapter.”
She added: ‘It is really nice when you see the pure enjoyment that children are getting out of reading and if you get that at a very early age, it’s going to help you so much in future life.
‘Because the earlier you read, the more you are going to understand, the more books you read, the more you’re going to understand about different places, different cultures, different ways of life.’
The Queen Consort also recalled the emotional impact that some books had on her as a child, including Black Beauty by Anna Sewell and Grimms’ Fairy Tales.
Reflecting on her favourite childhood books, she revealed: ‘I think I have to admit, in the end, I ended up probably being a sort of pony-mad child with Black Beauty, which I howled over, night after night after night.’
Camilla goes on to recount to Coelho how adventure stories inspired her and her siblings to camp, saying: ‘It takes you into a sort of multitude of different worlds.’
On Grimms’ Fairy Tales, she added: ‘I remember going to bed at night and having quite bad dreams about them.
She also reflected on how reading to her grandchildren has been a ‘wonderful’ bonding experience which has helped them to become bookworms
‘I think as children half of you wants to be scared – you don’t want to be scared too much, but it’s that sort of frisson of just being a little bit frightened.’
Coelho replied: ‘Books are a safe space, where you can be a little bit scared, and it’s OK. You can close the covers, get under your duvet!’
Literature lover Camilla, who set up her own Reading Room online book club, is a passionate advocate of encouraging children to read.
She holds a number of patronages related to literature, including the Book Trust and the National Literacy Trust, and has presented the prestigious Booker Prize in past years.
Coelho, whose tenure as Children’s Laureate runs from 2022-2024, succeeded Dame Cressida Cowell in the prestigious post last year.
Diana Gerald, chief executive of BookTrust, said: ‘Sharing stories is a fantastic way to spend time as a family and the benefits of reading together are huge.
‘Children of all ages and backgrounds can benefit from the positive impacts of reading, as it sparks inspiration, enhances creativity, empathy and supports good mental health.
‘Introducing children to classic stories while also discovering new tales and adventures is a brilliant way of creating a reading habit that can carry a child through life.
‘As a long-time supporter of BookTrust and a true advocate for children’s reading, Her Majesty’s experiences of shared reading both as a child herself and with her grandchildren really brings home the point that every family can benefit from reading together.’
A video of the conversation, which was recorded last month in the Clarence House Library, was released by BookTrust to mark the annual book day which encourages children to read for pleasure
Meanwhile, the Queen Consort’s teenage grandchildren will play a central role in King Charles’s coronation alongside Prince George as heir to the throne, sources say.
Camilla has reportedly indicated she wants her five grandchildren; Lola and Eliza, both 15, Freddy, 13, and twins Louis and Gus, also 13, to hold the canopy over her as she is anointed with holy oil on May 6.
In the past, duchesses have performed the role, which is considered one of the most sacred parts of the ceremony.
A royal insider told The Times: ‘The Queen Consort has said she does not want duchesses. She would like it to be her grandchildren.’
It’s a significant decision given the fact Camilla’s grandchildren have been largely shielded from the spotlight over the years.
But sources say the King and Queen Consort are keen to get them involved to acknowledge how close they are to the teenagers, and to reflect the reality of their life as a blended family.
Lola and Freddy are the children of Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles, while Eliza, Louis and Gus are the children of her daughter, Laura Lopes. The King is also said to be incredibly close to each of them.
Prince George, as future monarch, is also expected to be handed an official role.
King Charles and the Queen Consort – who will drop the consort title after the coronation – will reportedly sit down with the Prince and Princess of Wales in the coming weeks to discuss George’s involvement.
Royal sources told the publication William and Kate are both keen for George to be involved in an official capacity, provided he’s not subjected to excessive scrutiny.
The insider said: ‘It sends a nice signal and is quite a bold move. It is another example of the King and Queen Consort being unafraid to shake things up a bit to reflect the realities of modern life, of which a blended family is a central element.’
Dr Tessa Dunlop, speaking to the Daily Mail’s Palace Confidential series alongside Diary Editor Richard Eden, said other working members of the firm are also expected to have minor roles in the coronation, the emphasis will be on King Charles and his heirs – Princes William and George.
She said: ‘[They] want to keep it focused on that line of succession. So we’re going to see a lot of camera shots of Charles, of William, of George.’
Royal commentator Katie Nicholl previously detailed how Camilla loves being a grandmother.
She said the Queen Consort has long made an effort to ‘remind’ her husband not to miss out on cherished moments with his family.
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