Reading habits in the United Kingdom continue to decline, with recent data indicating that 40 percent of people have not read or listened to a book in the past year. As part of efforts to reverse this trend, Queen Camilla is spearheading a campaign to promote literacy and encourage the public to engage more with literature ahead of the UK’s National Year of Reading in 2026.

An avid supporter of literary causes, Queen Camilla serves as patron to several charities dedicated to literacy and the promotion of reading. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched the Queen’s Reading Room, an online book club designed to bring readers together virtually. The initiative has since grown into a registered charity and amassed a global following exceeding 12 million people.

To highlight the personal and societal benefits of reading, the Queen has engaged with individuals from various backgrounds who shared how books have influenced their lives. Among them is Omar Mentesh, who credits literature with providing comfort, sparking adventure, and opening new career opportunities. Others have described how reading helped them navigate challenges such as bereavement, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Queen Camilla herself spoke candidly about a book that holds deep personal significance for her—the wartime memoir of Major Bruce Shand, her father. Her reflections reveal how literature can connect readers with family history and offer insights into resilience and courage.

This initiative underscores a broader concern about declining engagement with books and aims to inspire more people to explore the written word, whether through physical books or audiobooks. With the National Year of Reading approaching, the campaign seeks to rekindle a culture of reading that enriches lives and fosters empathy and understanding.