Queen Camilla's Candid Call to Combat Smartphone Addiction with Reading
In one of her most forthright interventions on literacy to date, Queen Camilla has urged children to set aside their smartphones and rediscover the joy of reading. The 78-year-old royal delivered this powerful message during the grand final of the BBC 500 Words children's writing competition, held at Windsor Castle on February 25.
A Stark Warning Amid a Growing Crisis
Her Majesty's appeal comes against a troubling backdrop. According to the National Literacy Trust, only 33 percent of children aged over eight now say they enjoy reading in their free time. This represents a dramatic decline from 51 percent just two decades ago, a trend widely attributed to the pervasive influence of smartphones and digital devices.
Addressing hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp, Queen Camilla emphasised the transformative power of stories. '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 stated. '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.'
National Year of Reading Announced for 2026
In response to this alarming decline, the Department for Education has partnered with the National Literacy Trust—of which the Queen is patron—to designate 2026 as a 'national year of reading.' This initiative will involve a coordinated series of events and campaigns designed to reverse the downward trend and reignite a passion for literature among the younger generation.
During her speech, Camilla also praised the '50 brilliant finalists' of the competition, acknowledging their creativity. 'Through the magic of your pens and devices, you have brought your imaginations to life and led your readers on breath-taking explorations,' she told them. Quoting AA Milne, she added an inspirational note: 'Always remember: 'You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think'…which makes you all winners.'
Celebrating Young Literary Talent
This year's BBC 500 Words competition attracted an impressive 46,500 entries from across the United Kingdom. The six young authors who were crowned winners presented stories on diverse themes, ranging from Martian space travel to haunted fairgrounds.
The finalists' entries were brought to life by a host of celebrity readers, including:
- Jodie Whittaker, the former Doctor Who star
- Joanna Page from Gavin and Stacey
- Bradley and Barney Walsh, the popular television presenters
- Sara Cox, the renowned BBC DJ and author
- Paterson Joseph, the acclaimed RSC actor and award-winning writer
- Big Zuu, the rapper and television personality
The event, broadcast during Friday evening's The One Show, also featured Roman Kemp admiring treasures from the Royal Library. Among these was a signed 1926 edition of Winnie-the-Pooh, believed to be the first dedicated book in the late Queen Elizabeth II's personal collection. This hardcover volume, emblazoned with an 'E' for Elizabeth, was gifted to the young princess in the year of her birth.
A Royal Mission to Champion Literacy
Queen Camilla, who has supported the BBC 500 Words competition since 2015, joined the judging panel earlier this year to discuss the shortlisted stories. Her involvement underscores her lifelong commitment to promoting literacy as a core cause during her tenure as a working royal.
This dedication is further evidenced by her patronages and personal initiatives, most notably the book club she founded during the lockdown period. This club has since evolved into The Queen's Reading Room charity. Last month, Camilla described the charity's mission to encourage reading as 'more urgent than ever,' warning that global reading rates have reached their lowest point.
Prizes and Recognition for Young Writers
At the awards ceremony in Windsor Castle's Waterloo Chamber, Queen Camilla presented prizes to all six winners. The silver winners received a stack of books equal to Her Majesty's height, while the gold winners were awarded books matching the stature of judge Sir Lenny Henry (6ft 3in), along with 500 books for their schools. Bronze winners took home a collection of novels equivalent to the average height of a seven or eleven-year-old child.
The judging panel for this prestigious competition included:
- Sir Lenny Henry
- Frank Cottrell-Boyce
- Francesca Simon
- Charlie Higson
- Rose Ayling-Ellis
- Malorie Blackman, the former Children's Laureate
Cerys Griffiths, Head of BBC Bitesize, which supports the competition, commented: '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.'
Queen Camilla's heartfelt intervention highlights a critical cultural challenge. As smartphones continue to dominate young people's leisure time, her advocacy for reading serves as a timely reminder of the enduring value of literature and the power of the written word to inspire, educate, and transport readers to new worlds.
