Queen Camilla visited a St Mungo's homeless shelter in south London today, bringing with her a collection of 20 books she had personally selected for residents.
The donation came through a partnership between The Queen's Reading Room charity and the homelessness organisation.
The South London accommodation houses 38 individuals and forms part of St Mungo's network of 138 services supporting those who are homeless or at risk of becoming so.
Television presenter Lorraine Kelly, who has connections to St Mungo's, was on hand to greet the Queen during her visit to the facility, claiming that reading can help homeless people “back on their feet”.
Lorraine Kelly has told Queen Camilla that reading helps homeless people get ‘back on their feet’
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Ms Kelly, a self-described passionate reader, spoke to reporters following the Queen's book delivery, expressing enthusiasm for the initiative.
"I love reading, and this initiative is so fantastic," the Scottish presenter said.
"To combine two things I'm very passionate about, which is helping people who are homeless and getting people reading, the two just marry together so well."
She suggested that linking literacy programmes with the work of organisations like St Mungo's could open up educational opportunities for rough sleepers.
Queen Camilla reacts during a visit to St Mungo's in London
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Ms Kelly praised the Queen's presence at the event, noting it had energised everyone present.
"She's genuinely passionate about it, she genuinely cares and knows her stuff, it was an absolute delight to have her here," she added.
During her time at the shelter, Camilla met with residents, trustees and support staff, receiving thoughtful gifts including a radish grown in the facility's garden and a self-published spirituality book written by one of the residents.
The Queen then arranged her selection of titles, which included classics such as Wuthering Heights, The Queen's Necklace, and I Capture the Castle, on a bookshelf provided specifically for the occasion as part of the QRR partnership.
Queen Camilla poses for a photo with members of staff, service users, and Lewisham Mayor Liam Shrivastava (right) during her visit to St Mungo's
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Queen Camilla places books on shelves to highlight the activities offered by The Queen's Reading Room during a visit to St Mungo's
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Addressing those gathered in the activities room, Camilla described reading as "a wonderful way of escapism and taking [people] out of their lives and into another one".
Lee, a former resident who has since moved into independent living and now volunteers at the shelter, described having an "emotional" exchange with the Queen.
"Having a book when you're homeless is an escape, like an oasis from the situation," he told reporters after Camilla departed.
Jessie Kaur, who has worked as a support worker at St Mungo's for seven years, emphasised the therapeutic value of literature for those recovering from life on the streets.
"Books really help clients in their recovery journey from homelessness; it's a form of escapism, of healing from traumas they may have experienced," she said, adding that the QRR support was invaluable as services often cannot afford to purchase books themselves.