The Duchess of Cornwall celebrates literacy
A core focus of the Duchess of Cornwall's work has been working with literacy and the promotion of literature. Camilla has been described as an avid reader and supports several organizations and charities focused on improving education, literacy and encouraging a love of reading.
The Duchess began by meeting with authors Margaret Atwood and Bernardine Evaristo who were the joint winners of the 2019 Booker Prize. The Booker Prize is awarded annually for the best original novel written in the english language and published in the United Kingdom. She then went on to attend a reception with the Oscar Wilde Society, which celebrates the life and work of renowned poet, Oscar Wilde.
Continuing with her focus on literacy and literature, the Duchess of Cornwall celebrated the 20th anniversary of Waterstones Childrens Laureate by hosting a tea with past and present winners. The Laureate is managed by Book Trust, of which the Duchess is Patron, and is awarded biannually to writers or illustrators to celebrate outstanding achievement in children's books.
The larger Commonwealth was also included when the Duchess presented prizes to the winners of the Queens Commonwealth Essay Competition. Camilla has hosted the oldest international writing competition, on behalf of the Queen, for the past six years. This years theme was "A connected commonwealth" and she also announced that next years theme will be announced when the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall visit New Zealand later this month.
The Duchess shared that she was "Delighted to be helping to spread the word, and I am even more delighted that so many young people from across the Commonwealth are rising to the challenge of writing the word!"
The Duchess will be in attendance at several Remembrance Day festivities as well as travelling to New Zealand alongside her husband later this month. xx