Queen Camilla's urgent plea: Swap screens for books to save reading
Queen Camilla has urged children to put down their phones and pick up books instead. Speaking at the BBC 500 Words competition final, the 78-year-old highlighted the sharp decline in reading for pleasure among young people. Her call to action comes as the UK prepares for a major push to revive literacy in 2026.
The competition, which received over 46,500 entries this year, celebrated six young winners with stories ranging from adventures on Mars to eerie tales of haunted fairgrounds. Their work was brought to life by celebrities like Jodie Whittaker, Joanna Page, and Big Zuu. Gold winners also took home 500 books each for their schools.
Queen Camilla, a long-time supporter of the event since 2015, used her speech to stress the urgency of improving reading habits. She quoted AA Milne, telling the children: 'You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.' But she also warned that global reading rates had hit their 'very lowest' point, making the mission to boost literacy 'more urgent than ever.'
The figures back her concerns. Only 33% of children over eight now enjoy reading in their free time, a steep drop from 51% two decades ago, according to the National Literacy Trust. In response, the Department for Education and the Trust declared 2026 the 'national year of reading'—a plan announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in January.
By March, the initiative had already rolled out key measures. A £20 million fund was allocated to upgrade school libraries and train teachers in 500 primary schools. A 'Reading Champions' volunteer programme launched in February, with 10,000 participants signed up. Further plans include distributing free books to 1 million children by June and hosting a summer reading festival in London.
The push for better literacy is now gaining momentum. With government funding, volunteer schemes, and high-profile backing, the campaign aims to reverse years of decline. Schools, charities, and public figures are working together to put books back into children's hands.
