Queen Camilla Marks 79th Birthday With Nationwide Gift for Children as Palace Releases New Royal Portrait
Queen Camilla has marked her 79th birthday with an announcement that places one of her greatest passions—encouraging children to read—at the heart of the celebrations.
Rather than simply commemorating the occasion with a new royal portrait, the Queen has unveiled The Queen’s Christmas Present, an ambitious literacy initiative that will see children across the United Kingdom receive a specially produced book this December.
The programme will provide a copy of Katherine Rundell’s bestselling fantasy novel Impossible Creatures to every Year 6 pupil in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and P6 pupil in Scotland.
Children of the equivalent age who are not enrolled in traditional schooling will also be eligible.
A Personal Message From the Queen
The special edition of Impossible Creatures will feature a distinctive royal stamp on its cover, while inside, children will discover a handwritten message from Queen Camilla herself.
The Queen describes Rundell as one of her favourite writers and tells young readers that she hopes they will enjoy discovering the novel’s world of mythical creatures, friends and formidable enemies as much as she did.
The project is particularly significant because it forms part of the National Year of Reading 2026, a nationwide campaign designed to reverse declining reading habits and encourage both children and adults to rediscover books.
Why Year 6 Children Were Chosen
Research highlighted by the National Literacy Trust suggests that the transition between primary and secondary school is a crucial period for children’s reading habits.
According to the charity’s 2026 research involving more than 125,000 young people, reading for pleasure declines significantly between the ages of 8-11 and 11-14.
The initiative therefore aims to reach children at precisely the moment when many begin losing interest in recreational reading.
The National Literacy Trust, of which Camilla is Patron, will coordinate distribution through schools and libraries.
Importantly, the campaign will extend beyond classrooms. Targeted outreach is planned for children in hospitals, care settings, refuges and food banks, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
A New Portrait With a Link to Queen Elizabeth II
Alongside the announcement, a new photograph of Queen Camilla has been released to celebrate her 79th birthday.
The portrait was taken in the State Drawing Room at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland.
For the photograph, Camilla chose a diamond and sapphire butterfly brooch with a meaningful connection to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The brooch was originally presented to Elizabeth during the Birmingham Spring Fair in February 1977, adding a subtle piece of royal history to Camilla’s birthday portrait.
Literacy Remains a Defining Cause
The announcement continues Camilla’s longstanding commitment to promoting books and literacy.
She serves as Patron of organizations including the National Literacy Trust, BookTrust and Coram Beanstalk and also established The Queen’s Reading Room to encourage a wider appreciation of literature.
For her 79th birthday, however, the focus is firmly on the next generation.
With thousands of specially produced books expected to reach children before Christmas, the Queen’s latest initiative transforms a personal royal milestone into a nationwide campaign—with the hope that a single book could inspire a lifelong love of reading.