Queen Camilla is set to appear in a new BBC Arts documentary exploring the life-changing impact of reading, produced in partnership with The Open University. The film marks the UK-wide National Year of Reading 2026 and will feature personal stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed by books.
In the documentary, the Queen reflects on her lifelong love of literature, sharing childhood memories of her father, Major Bruce Shand, and his experience in a German prisoner-of-war camp. She recounts how reading reinforced his enthusiasm for the written word, which he later passed on to her. Camilla, an avid reader, founded The Queen’s Reading Room and is patron of several literacy charities.
The film will also include contributors from diverse backgrounds, such as a prisoner who found solace in a book, someone who overcame depression through a local book club, and others who found inspiration to change their lives. The documentary will examine growing scientific evidence that reading improves health and wellbeing.
Suzy Klein, Head of BBC Arts and Classical Music TV, said: 'The simple act of opening the pages of a book can be one of the most powerful and transformational choices we can make.' Dan Chambers, Executive Producer, expressed delight at the Queen's on-camera participation. The documentary is a Blink Films production for BBC Two and iPlayer, directed by Toby Trackman.
Further BBC Arts programming in 2026 includes a three-part series on Charles Dickens, new episodes of The Read, and TikTok content for BBC Bookworm. The Queen's involvement underscores her commitment to promoting reading both domestically and internationally.
