Queen Camilla's 79th birthday marked by new book gifting program
In celebration of her 79th birthday, a new image of Queen Camilla has been unveiled, captured last month in the state drawing room at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland, where she is seen wearing a long blue gown. Buckingham Palace revealed that the Queen is honoring her birthday by focusing on children's literacy: this Christmas, every 6 and P6 student across the UK will receive a special edition of Katherine Rundell's 'Impossible Creatures.' These books will be sent to schools and libraries, each featuring a personal note from the Queen. This effort is part of the National Year of Reading 2026, in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust, which the Queen supports as patron. Last month, she also met with JK Rowling in Edinburgh to discuss their mutual love for children's literature and has backed the BBC's 500 Words writing competition.
Key facts
- Queen Camilla's 79th birthday is on the date of this announcement.
- A new photograph was taken last month at Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland.
- The Queen is gifting a special edition of 'Impossible Creatures' by Katherine Rundell to every year 6 and P6 child in the UK.
- The book gifting program is in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.
- The program is part of the National Year of Reading 2026.
- The Queen met JK Rowling last month in Edinburgh.
- The Queen is patron of the National Literacy Trust.
- The Queen has supported the BBC's 500 Words competition.
Entities
Artists
- Katherine Rundell
- JK Rowling
Institutions
- Buckingham Palace
- Hillsborough Castle
- National Literacy Trust
- BBC
Locations
- Northern Ireland
- United Kingdom
- Edinburgh
- Palace of Holyroodhouse