During a historic state visit to the United States, Queen Camilla offered a rare personal glimpse into her childhood, sharing how her father, Bruce Shand, ignited her passion for reading.
In an interview with Jenna Bush Hager of Today that aired April 30, Camilla recalled, "He used to sit at the end of our beds every night and read us these incredibly exciting stories, some of them quite frightening, pillows over our head." She added, "He just gave us this incredible interest."
The 78-year-old queen consort was at the New York Public Library to promote her charity, The Queen's Reading Room, where she read one of her childhood favorites, Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, to a group of children.
"As many of us have long suspected, books really are good for us," Camilla told the audience, which included Sarah Jessica Parker and Anna Wintour. "They also have a magical way of bringing people together with their ability to transcend any barrier."
Camilla also voiced concern about declining literacy rates among children. "I'd like to say, keep reading," she urged. "Specialist statistics are showing reading is falling in children. We've got to find a way of bringing it up."
Her appearance in New York comes as she and King Charles III continue their state visit ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary.