Queen Camilla marked her 78th birthday with a fresh set of official portraits and a new literacy campaign tied to the occasion. In images taken by Getty royal photographer Chris Jackson at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland last month, the Queen smiled in the State Drawing Room while wearing a diamond and sapphire butterfly brooch once presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. According to Hello Magazine, she is expected to spend the day privately at Highgrove, while Prince William and Princess Kate shared a public birthday message for Her Majesty on social media.
Queen Camilla Marks 78th Birthday at Highgrove
The birthday message from the Prince and Princess of Wales added a family touch to the day, with the couple writing: "Wishing Her Majesty the Queen a very happy birthday!" Camilla’s latest portraits arrive during a period of steady public duty for the royal household. Married to King Charles since 2005, she has become one of the monarchy’s central figures, especially during the King’s ongoing cancer treatment. Her birthday this year carries both a private and public dimension, balancing family time with a clear signal of continued royal work.
Queen Camilla Backs Impossible Creatures for Schools
The Queen also used the occasion to support children’s literacy with a nationwide book project. Every Year 6 child in the UK will receive a copy of Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell for Christmas through a partnership with the National Literacy Trust. Each copy will carry a royal stamp and a personal note from Camilla. "Impossible Creatures, by one of my favourite writers, is a brilliant fantasy that will introduce you to a host of mythical friends and terrifying enemies... and I hope that you will love it as much as I do," Camilla said according to Hello Magazine.
The Queen’s Reading Room Expands Camilla’s Mission
The project fits into a longer effort by the Queen to promote reading across the UK. She launched her Reading Room book club during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2021, first as a space for sharing recommendations and later as a registered charity. The Queen’s Reading Room now includes a podcast and an annual literary festival, extending her work beyond palace engagements. She also serves as patron of several literacy groups, including the National Literacy Trust, BookTrust and Coram Beanstalk, placing books and education at the center of her public role.
Camilla Takes on a Larger Royal Role
The past year has underlined how much Camilla’s position has grown. Crowned alongside King Charles in 2023, she has remained a consistent presence during a demanding period for the family. Her 2025 total of 228 engagements points to a packed schedule and a willingness to step in where needed. That work included the US state visit with President Donald Trump in April and major family moments in recent weeks. The new birthday portraits and book campaign together present a clear picture of a Queen combining duty, visibility and personal commitment.
