Queen Camilla Champions Literacy, Urges Children to Swap Phones for Books
Queen Camilla has issued a heartfelt plea for children to prioritise reading over smartphone use, addressing a growing literacy crisis among young people. Speaking at the grand final of the BBC 500 Words children's writing competition, held at Windsor Castle, the Queen emphasised the transformative power of books in an era dominated by digital distractions.
A Candid Call to Action
In one of her most direct interventions on literacy to date, Queen Camilla told hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp: "Anybody who hears these stories will see how inspired these children are, and I think to get children reading and writing stories, especially nowadays, is so important." She added, "Also, it gives them time to get away from some of their phones. So I think it's so important that children keep on reading and writing, it's the best thing you could possibly do and it will take you all on adventures all over the world."
The Stark Reality of Declining Reading Habits
Her remarks come as alarming statistics reveal a sharp decline in reading enjoyment among children. According to the National Literacy Trust, only 33% of children aged over eight say they enjoy reading in their free time, down from 51% two decades ago. The drop is particularly steep among primary school-aged children and boys.
Further findings highlight the severity of the issue:
- Fewer than one in five (19%) of eight to 18-year-olds read something daily in their free time—the lowest level ever recorded.
- A report by early years charity Kindred Squared found that almost one in three children (28%) start primary school struggling to hold books correctly, with many attempting to swipe or tap pages as if using a phone or tablet.
National Efforts to Reverse the Trend
In response, the Department for Education has partnered with the National Literacy Trust, of which Queen Camilla is patron, to declare 2026 a "national year of reading." This initiative aims to organise events and campaigns to reignite a passion for literature among young people.
The BBC 500 Words competition, which received over 46,500 entries this year, plays a key role in this effort. Six young authors were crowned winners, with stories ranging from Mars space travel to haunted fairgrounds. Their entries were read by celebrities including Jodie Whittaker, Joanna Page, and Bradley and Barney Walsh.
Government and Royal Support for Change
Queen Camilla, 78, has supported the competition since 2015 and joined the judging panel earlier this year. Her advocacy extends beyond this event; she founded a book club during lockdown that evolved into The Queen's Reading Room charity. Last month, she described the charity's mission as "more urgent than ever," warning that global reading rates are at their "very lowest."
Meanwhile, government actions reflect growing concern over digital overuse:
- Ofsted inspections now include tougher scrutiny of mobile phone policies in schools, ensuring devices are not accessible during class or breaks.
- A consultation has been launched on whether to ban social media for under-16s, following similar moves in Australia and support from MPs across parties.
Celebrating Young Talent
At the Windsor Castle event, Queen Camilla awarded the six competition winners in the Waterloo Chamber. Gold winners received books equal to the height of judge Sir Lenny Henry (6ft 3in) and 500 books for their schools, while silver winners got books matching the Queen's height, and bronze winners received novels equal to the average height of a 7 or 11-year-old.
Cerys Griffiths, Head of BBC Bitesize, which supports the competition, said: "Every year, BBC 500 Words reminds us just how extraordinary children's imaginations are. This year's winners have amazed us with their creativity, and we're proud to celebrate their achievements. We hope every child who took part keeps discovering the joy of storytelling."
As Queen Camilla continues her lifelong mission to champion literacy, her message resonates in a world where digital devices increasingly compete for children's attention, underscoring the timeless value of picking up a book.
