Queen Camilla is celebrating her 79th birthday with a renewed focus on children's literacy. A new photograph of the Queen, taken last month at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland, was released to mark the occasion. In the image, she is wearing a long blue dress.
To commemorate her birthday, Buckingham Palace announced that every Year 6 and P6 child across the United Kingdom will receive a special edition of Katherine Rundell's book "Impossible Creatures" this Christmas. This initiative is part of a broader effort to support reading and literacy among young people.
The Queen's public work frequently champions reading, including her Reading Room charity, which aims to promote the benefits of reading. The "Impossible Creatures" book will be distributed to children through schools and libraries. Each copy will include a personal message from Queen Camilla, who described the book as a "brilliant fantasy that will introduce you to a host of mythical friends and terrifying enemies."
This new UK book gifting and reading program is being conducted in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, of which the Queen is a patron. The program is also aligned with the National Year of Reading 2026, an initiative designed to foster a love of reading and integrate it into daily life.
Recently, the Queen met with author J.K. Rowling to discuss their shared passion for books and the importance of children reading. The meeting took place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh during the start of Royal Week. Queen Camilla has also lent her support to the BBC's 500 Words creative writing competition for children.