Queen Camilla has declared her charity's work to promote reading "more urgent than ever" as The Queen's Reading Room celebrates its fifth anniversary.
The organisation, which Camilla established during the Covid-19 lockdown, has grown to encompass a global community of over 186,000 book enthusiasts spanning more than 180 countries.
The warning comes amid stark figures showing that merely half of British adults pick up a book annually, while 46 per cent report being unable to complete one due to surrounding distractions.
"At a time when global reading rates are at their very lowest, my charity's mission feels more urgent than ever. Books do make life better, and this is only the beginning," the Queen said in a statement.
Queen Camilla has warned that promoting reading is "as urgent as ever" as it was revealed only half of British adults pick up a book annually
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Research conducted by the charity has revealed that dedicating just five minutes to reading fiction can slash stress levels by almost 20 per cent, while also boosting concentration and focus by up to 11 per cent and alleviating feelings of isolation.
The organisation has adopted "Make Room for Reading" as its anniversary year motto, encouraging people to incorporate brief reading sessions into their daily routines in the same way they might aim for 10,000 steps or five portions of fruit and vegetables.
The charity's approach centres on "lighting little fires" – inspiring individuals to embrace modest but meaningful changes to their habits.
Globally, the picture remains concerning, with Unicef data from 2022 indicating that approximately 70 per cent of ten-year-olds in low and middle income nations could not read and comprehend a basic written story.
Chief executive Vicki Perrin has praised the Queen for bringing her "special magic" to the organisation, describing it as remaining "very much" Camilla's "baby".
"She founded the charity. It's very much her baby. She still chooses all of the books that are featured on the book club, and is by far the most well-read person I've ever had the pleasure to meet," Ms Perrin said.
Queen Camilla is known for being an avid reader
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The chief executive painted a vivid picture of the Queen's dedication to literature, noting that her defining image of Camilla is "in her armchair with piles and piles of books on the side table and on the floor by her feet".
Ms Perrin characterised current reading levels as a "reading crisis", expressing deep concern about declining rates among both children and adults.
The Queen has personally selected 76 books for recommendation since the initiative began, with early choices including Dame Hilary Mantel's The Mirror And The Light and William Boyd's Restless.
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Reader favourites have included Anthony Horowitz's Magpie Murders, Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet, and classic titles such as Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca and Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice.
The charity has distributed over 2,300 books to 11 grassroots locations, with 1,400 going to patients at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London.
Queen Camilla's charity has delivered 2,300 books to 11 grassroots locations as part of their efforts to get more people reading
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Work with St Mungo's homeless shelters has proved particularly impactful, with staff reporting that reading groups have "lit something up" in vulnerable individuals at risk of returning to the streets.
A new Queen's Reading Room Medal honouring local reading champions will also be unveiled this spring.
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