Queen Camilla with Vera and Shetland author Ann Cleeves, right (Image: The Queen’s Reading Room)

In an unexpected but warmly welcomed move, Queen Camilla is being praised for quietly dismantling long-held literary snobbery—and in doing so, helping to open the door for thousands who look to books for comfort and mental escape. The acclaim comes from celebrated crime author Ann Cleeves, the creative mind behind the hugely popular Vera and Shetlandseries, whose novels have become beloved fixtures on ITV and the BBC.

Cleeves, currently deep into her newest Vera installment, says the Queen’s refreshingly down-to-earth attitude toward reading is transforming the way the nation views books. While many public figures lean toward lofty literary classics, Camilla’s reading tastes range widely—from murder mysteries to everyday escapist fiction. And, according to Cleeves, that openness is breaking down outdated ideas about what counts as “worthy” reading.

The author recently met with the Queen at Clarence House, and has now been invited to join the judging panel for an exciting new initiative: the Queen’s Reading Room Medal. The award, announced earlier this year, will recognize individuals across the UK who bring storytelling into their communities—whether through starting reading groups, supporting libraries, donating books, or running local literary events.

Camilla with the King at the launch of the Queen’s Reading Room Medal (Image: Getty Images)

Speaking to the Mirror, Cleeves said she finds it “wonderful” that Camilla is eliminating the elitism that has hovered over the literary world for decades.
“Her Majesty clearly adores books,” she explained, “and what I admire most is that she chooses stories ordinary readers love too. For years there was this slight sniffiness about popular fiction. But her message is simple: if you’re enjoying a book, then it’s a good book. She’s championing stories because they matter—not because they fit into some narrow definition of ‘literary.’”

The Queen’s Reading Room Medal stems from Camilla’s charity of the same name, born from her hugely successful Instagram book club launched during the pandemic. What began as a personal passion project has now become a global centre for reading advocacy, with research programmes, a podcast, and an annual literary festival attracting tens of thousands of book lovers.

For Cleeves, joining the judging panel is both an honour and a meaningful opportunity. Over the years, she has become an active advocate for reading as a tool for wellbeing. As co-founder of Reading for Wellbeing in the north-east, she has seen firsthand how stories can lift people through life’s toughest chapters. The initiative partners with local GPs, who refer patients to reading groups designed to provide community, comfort, and a mental break through shared storytelling.

Cleeves speaks openly about her own experiences: battling cancer in her 30s, and later navigating the challenges of her husband’s bipolar disorder while raising two children. Through it all, books were a lifeline.
“Reading got me through the hardest times,” she said. “It isn’t just about literacy. It’s about slipping into someone else’s world when your own feels overwhelming. Whether it’s an audiobook, a graphic novel, or a classic, stories let you see life through another person’s eyes.”

Author Ann Cleeves, who is the creator of Vera and Shetland(Image: The Queen’s Reading Room)

She recalled one member of her reading group, a woman grieving the loss of both her husband and mother. “She told me that before the group, she would have gone to her GP for antidepressants. But now she goes to the group instead—she reads, she talks, she feels supported. That’s the power of books.”

Vicki Perrin, CEO of the Queen’s Reading Room, expressed her excitement at Cleeves joining the project. “We are delighted to welcome Ann as a judge for the Queen’s Reading Room Medal. Her storytelling has touched readers around the world, and her dedication to reading for wellbeing is extraordinary. Her insight will be invaluable as we celebrate the volunteers who inspire others through books.”

With the Queen’s new medal, Camilla continues to reshape the national conversation around reading—not as an academic chore, but as a joyful, shared experience. And with voices like Ann Cleeves by her side, the initiative is poised to spotlight the everyday heroes who bring the magic of stories into people’s lives.