Queen Camilla joined the celebrations at the British Library this afternoon to mark the National Year of Reading.
Her Majesty sliced into a cake shaped like Paddington Bear’s beloved marmalade sandwich next to a ginormous statue of the famous fictional bear, who was revealed as this year’s ambassador for the National Year of Reading.
The 78-year-old joined approximately 150 volunteers and pupils at the venue’s piazza, where multiple marquees hosted The Big Lunch celebration.
This community-focused initiative, established by the Eden Project, invites neighbours across Britain to share food and friendship during the first weekend of June.
Their Majesties had previously launched the 2026 Big Lunch alongside The Big Help Out campaign at Cornwall’s Eden Project in March, commemorating the millennium project’s 25th anniversary.
The Queen, who serves as patron of the National Literacy Trust, explored the library’s Fairy Tales exhibition during her visit.
She watched youngsters dress as their favourite characters and participated in an improvised storytelling session, opening with the classic phrase: “Once upon a time.”
Among the day’s most touching encounters was the Queen’s meeting with Betsy Griffin, a remarkable 12-year-old author who lost her sight after being diagnosed with a rare, inoperable brain tumour at just two years old.
Queen Camilla joined the celebrations at the British Library this afternoon to mark the National Year of Reading
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PA
“I hear you wrote a book. I’m so impressed, that’s absolutely incredible,” Camilla told the young writer, whose debut novel Out Of The Woods was released by Harper Collins in 2024.
Young Betsy presented Her Majesty with a copy of her book and later described the experience as “very nerve-wracking”, adding: “Definitely one of the most memorable days of my life.”
Poet Laureate Simon Armitage took to the marquee stage to deliver a short poem before presenting London’s newly appointed Young Poet Laureates, 11-year-old Maya and 14-year-old Latifah.
The south London schoolgirls had completed a rigorous selection process, which Mr Armitage described as “like the X Factor meets Britain’s Got Talent meets the Makerfield by-election all rolled together”.
The monarch joined approximately 150 volunteers and pupils at the venue’s piazza
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PA
Both young poets, who are graduates of a National Literacy Trust programme designed to introduce young people to verse, performed original works composed specifically for the occasion.
Addressing the assembled volunteers and children, the Queen expressed her delight at seeing her three patronages unite for the reading initiative.
“I mean, what, what talent, and I couldn’t congratulate you more,” she said of the young laureates, before thanking volunteers and welcoming Paddington as ambassador.
The National Year of Reading 2026, a joint venture between the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, seeks to reverse a two-decade decline in children’s reading enjoyment.
Currently supported by 35,000 volunteers, the campaign aims to recruit 100,000 and inspire millions of readers across all age groups.
Her Majesty also spoke with social media personality Jack Edwards, another campaign ambassador boasting over 800,000 Instagram followers.
The 27-year-old revealed they compared notes on their respective book clubs, with Mr Edwards running Inklings and the Queen hosting The Queen’s Reading Room.
“I think we’re both fans of Elif Shafak, so that’s a bonding point for us,” Mr Edwards said, noting their shared appreciation for Maggie O’Farrell.