Queen Camilla delivers stirring plea amid Scottish backdrop

Queen Camilla made an impassioned appeal to protect and promote literacy during a heartfelt solo engagement in Scotland this week.

As part of Holyrood Week, the Queen visited the newly rebuilt Ratho Library in Newbridge, Edinburgh, where she officially opened the space and met with library staff, authors, and members of the local community. 

Clearly moved by the efforts behind the library’s revival, the Queen used the moment to spotlight a cause deeply important to her: the future of libraries across the UK.

"I wish a lot of other people would follow your example and open more libraries all over the country," she said. 

"Sadly, a lot of them have been closing down. So to see something as wonderful as this being reopened is all to the credit of all of you who've made it happen."

A longtime advocate for literacy, Queen Camilla serves as patron to several reading initiatives and organisations, continuously championing access to books for all ages. 

Her words in Edinburgh echoed a broader call to action, as she applauded the Ratho Library team for their dedication to creating a welcoming, vibrant space for the local community.

The 77-year-old royal met with bestselling author Paula Hawkins, known for The Girl on the Train, and warmly confessed, "I'm very partial to crime novels."

"They manage to inspire a love of reading of books, from toddlers to pensioners," she said, as she highlighted the power of libraries to connect generations.

The original Ratho Library had closed for redevelopment, with residents relying on a mobile library in the interim. 

The new facility, which opened earlier this spring, has been enthusiastically welcomed by the local community.