Queen Camilla Highlights ‘Life-Enhancing Power’ of Books Amid Earl Spencer Memoir Controversy

LONDON: Queen Camilla has highlighted the transformative role of literature and the “life-enhancing power” of books during the Queen’s Reading Room Festival at Chatsworth House, as controversy continues over claims concerning King Charles in Earl Spencer’s forthcoming memoir about his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales.

Speaking at the literary festival in Derbyshire, Camilla said she established the Queen’s Reading Room to share her love of books and encourage reading. She said the initiative had grown into a global community involving millions of people across more than 180 countries.

The Queen also unveiled four recommendations for the autumn 2026 season of the Queen’s Reading Room Book Club: Finding Belle by Reeta Chakrabarti, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, Whistler by Ann Patchett and Sashenka by Simon Sebag Montefiore.

Camilla’s appearance came as Earl Spencer’s forthcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, has generated public discussion over allegations concerning King Charles and events following Diana’s death in 1997.

Spencer has alleged that Charles made a remark about Diana during a dispute over arrangements for her funeral. Buckingham Palace responded that grief can affect judgment and memory, while Spencer has maintained that his recollection is accurate. These claims remain allegations contained in the memoir and have been disputed by the palace.

At the festival, Camilla also met members of local book clubs and literary figures, including authors Lee Child and Elif Shafak.

She is also due to feature in a BBC documentary, The Book That Changed My Life, which will explore how reading has influenced the lives of people from different backgrounds. The programme is scheduled to air on BBC Two on October 14 as part of the National Year of Reading 2026.