'She's the best listener in the world'

Whether she’s highlighting domestic abuse, championing literacy, dining with pensioners or quietly supporting her husband, our new Queen is excelling in her royal role, says Jane Wheatley

- Jane Wheatley

THERE was once a little girl called Camilla, whose father read stories to his children every night, instilling in her an enduring love of books and the imaginative adventures they promised. He did all of us a great favour, because, when his daughter grew up and married the man who would be King, she determined that all children should have the opportunity to lose themselves in a good story.

Soon after she became Duchess of Cornwall and assumed her role as a working royal, the author Michael Morpurgo was invited to Buckingham Palace to talk about literature for children and what the Duchess could do to help. ‘It was quite early on when she first appeared on the scene and she was mightily sincere about it,’ he recalls. ‘She was very authentic and clearly understood the importance of libraries and books for children.’ They went on to meet often and, on one occasion, he tells me, the two of them sat together in a tent at the Hay Festival in Wales and read stories to assembled children.

These days, as The Queen, she has her own charity and Instagram account, The Queen’s Reading Room, sharing books she loves with children and adults around the world and recruiting well-known actors and authors, including Sir Michael, to give readings and recommendations. ‘She is raising the flag for literature,’ he enthuses. ‘I don’t think any member of the Royal Family has been so involved in the culture of the country since Prince Albert.’