Bestselling Irish author Cecelia Ahern has praised Queen Camilla for her sustained support of literature, saying the royal’s commitment to reading has helped place books at the centre of public conversation in ways that benefit both writers and readers. Her comments come ahead of this year’s Queen’s Reading Room Festival, where Ahern is among the featured authors.

Speaking about the Queen’s literary initiative, Ahern said she was grateful for Camilla’s enthusiasm for books and the visibility she has brought to reading. She suggested that when someone in such a prominent public role champions literature, it encourages more people to engage with books and reminds readers that stories remain an important part of everyday life.

Ahern, whose novels include ‘PS, I Love You’ and ‘Freckles’, will appear at the festival to discuss themes of hope, heartbreak and happy endings. The two-day event at Chatsworth will feature more than twenty internationally recognised writers, including Harlan Coben, Lee Child, Elif Shafak, Louise Penny, Kate Atkinson and Ann Cleeves.

The Queen’s Reading Room began as an online book club during the Covid-19 lockdown and has since grown into a literary charity promoting reading through festivals, podcasts, research and community programmes. According to organisers, the initiative now reaches audiences in more than 180 countries while supporting literacy and wellbeing projects across the United Kingdom.

Ahern noted that the Queen’s backing of literature has given authors valuable opportunities to connect with readers beyond traditional book launches and festivals. She described the Reading Room as an initiative that celebrates books not simply as entertainment but as a source of empathy, conversation and personal growth.

This year’s festival also marks the fifth anniversary of the Queen’s Reading Room. Alongside discussions with leading novelists, the programme will include sessions for aspiring writers, poetry events and community-focused activities designed to make literature more accessible to wider audiences.