Queen Camilla has been praised for her "commitment to real and lasting change" as two of her most treasured causes are set to join forces for a new initiative.
The Queen’s Reading Room and The Elm Foundation will come together to promote the healing power of literature for domestic abuse survivors.
The project will encourage book donations and increase grassroots work to support those affected by the abuse, coercive control and sexual violence.
It is a cause that has long been dear to the Queen, who supports victims through a number of charities.
Queen Camilla’s Reading Room charity will join forces with The Elm Foundation
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The Queen’s Reading Room, founded as a charity by the then Duchess of Cornwall in 2023, promotes the value of reading and help people connect with literature.
The Elm Foundation, which provides support and refuge accommodation for domestic abuse survivors, has not previously been associated with Camilla but will now work together with her charity.
Even without her direct oversight, the Queen is understood to both be aware and approving of the new partnership.
“This is incredibly moving. I feel very proud that The Elm Foundation has been chosen,” Jennifer Calverley, CEO of The Elm Foundation said.
The partnership will help promote the healing power of reading to domestic abuse survivors
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“Combining two causes, so close to the heart, sends a powerful message that healing is multifaceted and that compassion can be woven through every aspect of support,” she continued.
"Seeing reading and domestic abuse recovery united under one vision is a testament to The Queen’s Reading Room and Queen Camilla’s commitment to real, lasting change,” the charity boos told The Express.
Vicki Perrin, CEO of the Queen’s Reading Room, explained: “Her Majesty's expertise and her understanding of domestic violence and the pathways to rebuilding lives are incredibly helpful to us in building our own work,”
“To be able to bring these two important causes together is the sort of thing that only Her Majesty can do,” she told the paper.
The Queen founded her Reading Room charity in 2023 to share her love of the written word
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Explaining the benefits of the new project, Ms Perrin explained: “One of the key things the Elm Foundation is interested in is how therapeutic activities, like reading and being part of reading groups, can help individuals rebuild their lives.”
“They have individuals in their staff and in their trustees who have used reading to move forward in life after truly horrible experiences of domestic violence and are themselves now inspired to volunteer in the organisation to run book clubs,” she said.
Ms Calverley also celebrated the move, stating: “We see every day how trauma can isolate people who have been affected by domestic abuse.
“Reading, with its ability to transport, and connect with others, offers a gentle but profound way to begin rebuilding and regaining confidence.
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Even without her direct oversight, the Queen is understood to both be aware and approving of the new partnership
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"We know that survivors, when able to do so, often want to help others and this collaboration recognises the power of community storytelling in healing and recovery.
“It gives us so much joy to see the impact of books and reading and turning lives around firsthand – our hope is that we can really expand that over the coming years,” Ms Calverley said.
The partnership is expected to be formally announced in September during the third Queen’s Reading Room Festival between September 19 and 20.
The event, which will be held at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, will bring together literary and screen icons to celebrate the power of the written word.