Meeting Community Champions and Writers

During the engagement, Queen Camilla met members of the Citizen Collective, a youth writing programme, as well as acclaimed authors Jenny Colgan and Paula Hawkins. She was also introduced to volunteers from the Royal Voluntary Service’s Housebound Home Library scheme, which has been delivering books to people unable to visit libraries for over 60 years.

The visit ended on a celebratory note as a young writer performed a poem, followed by Queen Camilla cutting a cake to officially open the library.

A Literary Commitment Beyond the Festival

The Edinburgh International Book Festival, founded in 1983, has grown into a globally recognized cultural event. Alongside its annual festival—which will next take place from August 9 to 24, 2025—the organization is deeply involved in year-round outreach. It runs programmes in schools, prisons, hospitals, and neighborhoods, working to make literature more accessible to everyone.

To further expand its reach, the festival streams hundreds of its events online, ensuring those unable to attend in person can still enjoy and engage with its offerings.

Royal Visit Amid Changes to Royal Traditions

Queen Camilla’s appearance in Scotland came shortly after Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Royal Train—used by members of the monarchy for official travel—will be retired by 2027 as part of broader cost-saving measures.

She is currently accompanying King Charles for a week-long visit to Scotland, where both are participating in a series of engagements celebrating community and cultural initiatives.