Queen Camilla Launches National Medal to Celebrate Reading Advocates

The Queen’s Reading Room Medal will honor individuals championing books and storytelling, with nominations opening April 1, 2025.

Queen Camilla unveiled the Queen’s Reading Room Medal during a star-studded event at Clarence House, marking the fourth anniversary of her global literacy initiative.
The medal will recognize individuals improving access to books and fostering a love of reading in their communities, with the first awards announced in March 2026.
Nominations for the medal open on April 1, 2025, and a judging panel of prominent literary figures has been assembled to select the winners.
The Queen emphasized the role of books in creating empathy, improving mental health, and building a more connected society.
The event also celebrated Jane Austen’s 250th birth anniversary with a display of rare artifacts from Austen’s House and the Royal Collection Trust.