Queen Camilla tonight backed new research which says five minutes of reading a day is as valuable to health and wellbeing as walking 10,000 steps and eating five portions of fruit and vegetables.
In a speech to mark the third anniversary of her book club, The Queen’s Reading Room, as well as the first as a registered charity, Her Majesty said: “As well as our five a day and our 10,000 steps, we should all aim for at least 5 minutes of reading every day for invaluable benefits for brain health and mental well-being.
‘Just as we always suspected, books are good for us, and now science proves us right!’
Pioneering new neuroscientific research commissioned by the charity to determine whether there is a link between reading fiction and wellbeing suggests that reading for just five minutes can reduce stress, improve concentration and help people feel more connected.
Addressing an audience including authors Philippa Gregory, Sir Michael Morpurgo, Bernadine Evaristo and Harlan Corben, as well as actors Helena Bonham Carter, Dame Joanna Lumley, Rupert Everett and Derek Jacobi at Clarence House, Camilla said: “It’s a great pleasure I welcome you to Clarence House this afternoon to mark my Reading Room’s third anniversary as a book club and first as a charity.
Harlan Coben, Donna Tartt, Queen Camilla, Helena Bonham Carter and Dame Joanna Lumley
Queen Camilla (centre) and director of The Queen’s Reading Room, Vicki Perrin (right) during a reception to mark the findings of a new research study commissioned by The Queen’s Reading Room charity, at Clarence House.
Queen Camilla tonight backed new research which says five minutes of reading a day is as valuable to health and wellbeing as walking 10,000 steps and eating five portions of fruit and vegetables. Pictured with Vicki Perrin
‘This year also marks the 125th anniversary of the birth of the late great Sir Noel Coward. He was a brilliant and very funny man who, as a friend of The Queen Mother, attended many events here.
“I doubt, however, that this reception will be as spooky as that of the Master’s song, ‘I Went to a Wonderful Party’ with its wonderful verses: We knew the excitement was going to begin when Laura was blinded by Dubonnet and gin.
And I scratched its badge with a Cartier pin. I couldn’t have liked it more.’
Referring to the “shared love of good books that has brought us together this afternoon”, the Queen spoke of the need to “encourage a passion for reading”.
‘And for that, there is no better inspiration than the man of the hour, Noel Coward, who left school at nine and attributed all his subsequent knowledge to his membership in Battersea Park Library and reading everything he came across. ‘ she said.
‘Thanks to all of you, the Reading Room is doing everything possible to spread the word about how literature, quite simply, improves life. Since it began three years ago, it has reached almost 12 million people across all its platforms, produced more than a thousand pieces of educational literary content and had its inaugural festival at Hampton Court, attended by almost 8,000 people from all over the world. as far away as the United States. United States, Canada, North Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
‘She has also launched a podcast, which this year will take us into the ‘reading rooms’ of 32 captivating writers, actors and thinkers. And now, this first study takes us on an important journey to understand the science behind the power of stories to enrich our lives.
Queen Camilla during a reception to mark the findings of a new research study commissioned by The Queen’s Reading Room
Queen Camilla looking at a microscope during a reception to commemorate the findings of a new research study commissioned by The Queen’s Reading Room charity.
‘This would not have been possible without all of you: your talent, your imagination, your originality, your support and, above all, your deep love for the written word. ‘
The Queen noted that Noel Coward died 51 years ago today/yesterday, with a book in his hand.
“It was from her favorite author, the children’s writer E. Nesbit, who once said, ‘There is no bond like having read and liked the same books,'” she said.
‘We share a very special bond, ladies and gentlemen: our love of books. Thanks for helping spread the word. ‘
Dame Joanna Lumley said of the Queen’s reading room: “It’s like walking into a room with a packet of crisps when everyone is starving, people are hungry for something and then they grab it and devour it.” That is why this reading club has reached 12 million in three years, and it is an extraordinary number. It’s like rock star stuff. And it will only get better.
‘I’d love to introduce some rules. Without screens, they would have to sing loudly at school, together, they would have to read every day, and they would have to go out and do something useful every day. But first of all I would kill those screens.
‘Reading makes you feel less stressed, you go to a happy place, you never feel alone with a book. And we have all discovered that the same things are activated. And yet all we do is give kids small screens. ‘
When asked about the way Camilla was keeping the royal show on track recently, Dame Joanna added: “They (the royal family) are all extremely obedient. It’s like in the theatre, if someone is sick, someone takes their Instead, the substitute keeps the show going.
‘She is the epitome of professionalism and public service. Everyone thinks they should be whining in a corner, but that’s not what these people are made of. And it is something we should aspire to. If you sit alone feeling sorry for yourself, you will feel sad and tragic. But if you get up and do something with a smile, you feel better.’
American thriller writer Harlan Coben described the Queen as “very impressive”.
‘She is. “Goalkeeper, as we say in America,” she smiled.
‘She turns authors into rock stars, how many queens do that?’
Crime writer Peter James, one of Camilla’s favorite writers, added: “She goes out and beats the drum for us.” She makes writers feel like rock stars. And she comes from a very authentic place.”
Author Ken Follett said: “Reading helps you deal with stress, which is fascinating.” But then you think about it and you realize that the characters you’re reading about go through stress like elves, so when you read about the things that happen to them, you relax.
‘We are so lucky in the world of books that our Queen wants to promote reading and literacy. We really are.’
When introduced to actress Helena Bonham Carter, Camilla greeted her warmly. The star addressed the King and Princess of Wales’ cancer battle, telling her: “I’m so sorry for what you’re all going through.” Anything we can do to help, we will.
They spent an hour chatting with authors, actors and neuroscientists and even had the opportunity to observe a brain cell through a microscope to learn more about the positive effects of reading.