Queen Camilla recently welcomed a gathering of Scotland’s literary elite to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
Among the distinguished guests were bookshop owners, authors like Alexander McCall Smith, and representatives from the Edinburgh International Book Festival, an organization supporting writers since 1983.
This event marked the beginning of Holyrood Week, an official visit to Scotland that the Queen and King undertake annually.
This year, Holyrood Week is shorter due to restrictions associated with the General Election.
Queen Camilla at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Queen Camilla, a passionate reader, organized this reception to celebrate the rich tapestry of Scottish literature. She was joined by a host of notable guests, including crime writers Sir Ian Rankin and Val McDermid.
During the lockdown, Camilla launched her own book club, the Reading Room project, which has since expanded to include a podcast and a literary festival.
Sir Ian Rankin, after conversing with Camilla, praised her commitment to promoting literacy.
He remarked, “She’s really interested in literacy. She wants young people reading, she wants everybody reading. There’s no stigma attached to writing: If you write comic books, if you write romance, if you write crime fiction, she’s a fan – anything that gets people reading.”
Rankin also highlighted Edinburgh’s profound literary heritage, stating, “It’s always been a literary city and it’s always been a city that’s inspired writers. Everybody from Robert Louis Stevenson to Muriel Spark and to Irvine Welsh have been influenced by the city. And although it’s a very small city, it’s like Doctor Who’s Tardis – it’s much bigger on the inside because it has all these different versions of itself in there, waiting to be explored by writers of various hues.”
The King and Queen’s arrival in Edinburgh signifies the start of Holyrood Week, a celebration of Scottish culture, achievements, and individuals who have made significant contributions to the community.
Although this year’s festivities are abbreviated due to the General Election, they will still offer a meaningful tribute to Scotland’s vibrant cultural landscape, concluding on July 3.