Turkish-British author Elif Shafak has praised Queen Camilla for “supporting poets and writers” ahead of the launch of the Queen’s Reading Room Festival next month.
The award-winning Shafak, whose 2021 novel The island of lost trees was shortlisted for the Costa Prize and the Women’s Fiction Prize (among others), will talk about her new book There are rivers in the sky at the June festival.
Authors Sir Ian Rankin, Lee Child and Kate Mosse, as well as actresses Miriam Margolyes, Helena Bonham Carter and Dame Harriet Walter, will also attend Hampton Court Palace for the second Queen’s Reading Room Festival.
speaking to Hello!Shafak said of the Queen: “She loves supporting poets and writers and honors the work, the craft and the art of storytelling.”
The author, 52, appears to be one of Queen Camilla’s favorites since her 2013 novel. The architect’s apprentice was among the first books selected for the online book club she set up as Duchess of Cornwall three years ago.
Turkish-British author Elif Shafak (pictured) praised Queen Camilla for supporting writers and poets
Shafak added, “It’s so nice to have an advocate like her, someone who understands the power of literature and is a reader.”
The writer, who has published 19 books, said Hello! that she was recently involved in a literary project at Windsor Castle.
Shafak was one of a group of writers commissioned to make a miniature book for the library of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House.
She admitted: “It was very difficult and my handwriting is quite messy.”
The festival, which began on June 8 and attracted 8,000 visitors last year, is part of the Queen’s wider efforts to promote literature.
In fact, her chart-topping Reading Room podcast returned on Monday, May 20 for a second season.
The podcast launched earlier this year and is an audio version of Her Majesty’s popular online book club, which has 172,000 followers on Instagram.
Her Majesty is known for her love of books and the launch comes just weeks after the charity’s research into the benefits of reading.
The Queen’s Reading Room Festival, launched by Queen Camilla in 2023, will return to Hampton Court Palace in June.
Queen Camilla’s chart-topping podcast Reading Room returned for a second season on Monday, May 20
The podcast launched earlier this year and is an audio version of Her Majesty’s popular online book club.
Neil Gaiman, Peter James, Kate Mosse and Richard E Grant are among the authors and actors who will appear in the nine-episode series.
The podcast’s first season swept the charts, reaching the top one per cent of podcasts globally upon launch, before spending several consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the UK art and book podcast charts with listeners. in 158 countries.
While Vicki Perrin, CEO of Queen’s Reading Room, hosts the podcast, Queen Camilla has pre-recorded her segments.
And this season, Camilla’s segments will appear at the beginning of the episode instead of the end, as she reveals some of her all-time favorite reads to royal fans.
The first series of The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast featured Rebus author Sir Ian Rankin, actress Dame Joanna Lumley and comedian David Baddiel, and was heard in 158 countries.
Available weekly, the second season of ‘The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast’ will continue to create a space where book lovers, and those who want to connect more with books, can hear directly from the mouths of literary heroes.
The new season will feature celebrated literary programming featuring American Gods author Neil Gaiman, Labyrinth author Kate Mosse and ‘Roy Grace’ series author Peter James, who will invite listeners into their own living rooms. Reading.
This new season will also feature Her Majesty Queen Camilla, who will once again let listeners in on some of her all-time favorite reads.
Neil Gaiman, Peter James, Kate Mosse and Richard E Grant (pictured with Camilla in February 2023) are among the authors and actors who will appear in the nine-episode season which returns on Monday, May 20.
This new season will also feature Her Majesty Queen Camilla, who will once again let listeners in on some of her all-time favorite reads.
The Queen’s Reading Room CEO and podcast host Vicki Perrin said: “We were blown away by the response to the first season of The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast.
‘It’s clear that the podcast reached and resonated with listeners around the world, allowing them to connect and fall in love with books.
“I hope this second season of the podcast continues to inspire listeners to take on new literary adventures and helps those who want to love books a little more discover the true joy of reading.”