Queen Camilla has hosted a reception to celebrate Scottish literature, welcoming writers, publishers and booksellers to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The Queen, who is an avid reader, was joined by numerous guests, including crime writers Sir Ian Rankin and Val McDermid, and newly-knighted Sir Alexander McCall.
During lockdown, Camilla launched her book club – the Reading Room project – which now has its own podcast and literary festival.
Sir Ian praised Camilla after speaking to her, saying: “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.”
Discussing Edinburgh’s literary heritage, he added: “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 Irvin 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 arrived in Edinburgh today to conduct engagements as part of Holyrood Week, which celebrates Scottish culture, achievements, and important individuals who have contributed to the community.
This year, the celebrations have been cut short due to the General Election, and will end on July 3.
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Camilla spoke to author Sir Ian Rankin during the celebration
Getty
Amidst a packed itinerary of royal engagements across the coming days, which includes a Ceremony of the Keys and a guard of honour inspection, the royals attended a traditional garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Other events “which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign” have been postponed during the two-day trip.
Earlier today, the King and Queen attended a garden party at Holyroodhouse estate to celebrate the Scottish capital’s 900th anniversary.
They were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who co-hosted the event, however Princess Anne, the hardest-working royal, was nowhere to be seen after she recovered from her injuries sustained during a fall from a horse.
King Charles III at the garden party, in his third outfit of the day
PA
The King changed into his third outfit of the day ahead of the garden party, previously donning a navy seat and his military uniform earlier in the day.
He looked dapper in black top hat with a matching tailcoat, paired with a beige double-breasted waistcoat. On his left lapel, there appears to be a thistle.
Camilla stunned in a light blue dress with a matching hat, accessorised with a pair of white gloves.
Meanwhile, Prince Edward wore a similar tailcoat with a cream waistcoat and blue tie and Sophie wore a muted blue dress accompanied with a matching hat.
