Queen Camilla sits down for rare US interview with President George W Bush's daughter

Dorothy Reddin
Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:20:57 +0000

Queen Camilla sat down with Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of former US President George W Bush, for an exclusive interview during her visit to the New York Public Library on Wednesday.

The conversation, recorded on day three of the Their Majesty's State Visit to America, focused on the Queen's dedication to promoting literacy and her experiences during the trip.

NBC's TODAY programme announced the interview on Instagram, stating: "In a TODAY exclusive, Jenna Bush Hager spoke to Her Majesty Queen Camilla about her visit to the U.S. and the Queen's passion for reading."

The literary engagement formed part of a packed schedule at the iconic Manhattan venue.

The Queen's Reading Room, which Her Majesty established in 2023, operates as a charity dedicated to championing the transformative impact of books throughout Britain and internationally.

Vicki Perrin, who serves as Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, accompanied Mrs Bush Hager at the library event.

The reception drew an impressive gathering of literary and cultural figures, with approximately 100 guests from the publishing world in attendance.

Among those present were Vogue editor Anna Wintour, author Harlan Coben, and actress Sarah Jessica Parker, herself a prominent advocate for reading initiatives.

Ms Parker remarked: "Every time you shine a spotlight on reading and the relationship between a reader and a book and how it changes lives and enriches lives and cultivates empathy and curiosity, I'm so grateful."

Viewers can catch a preview of the conversation on NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas.

The complete interview will be broadcast on Thursday, April 30.

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The Queen also used her time at the library to present a special gift to the institution's famous collection of Winnie the Pooh teddy bears, which originally belonged to author A.A. Milne's son.

Her Majesty donated a replacement Roo doll, crafted by British toymaker Merrythought, as the original character has been missing from the collection for some time.