READING'S ROYAL REVOLUTION

As Chatsworth takes centre stage for the third year of Queen Camilla’s literary festival, Bridgerton author and guest speaker Julia Quinn, and CEO of The Queen’s Reading Room charity, Vicki Perrin, on the powerful message Her Majesty has for all young readers

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Fielding and Sebastian Faulks. “For a literary festival to grow this quickly is almost unprecedented,” says Vicki Perrin, CEO of the Queen’s Reading Room.

“This year we will be seating our 20,000th seat. It feels crazy to have done that within three years. There’s just been such a positive reaction to the work we do and we're so blessed to have world-class talent lining up to appear.”

This year’s festival coincides with the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth and will be celebrated with a screening of Pride And Prejudice in the gardens — a poignant touch as Chatsworth doubled as Mr Darcy’s Pemberley home in the movie. It’s one of the many reasons Julia was so drawn to the festival. “Usually [at festivals] I’m in the backdrop of a college campus or convention centre so to be at the backdrop of Chatsworth lends it a magical air,” she says.

BUT THERE’S a strong message that underpins the work of the Queen’s Reading Room that also appeals. Neuroscience studies conducted by the charity have proven that just five minutes of reading a day can reduce stress by 19% and improve cognitive function by 11%. It also improves resilience, empathy and greater social connection.