The insider added that the library request has become a “source of friction” between the royal couple, who celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in April.

Camilla’s Lifelong Passion for Literature

At 78, Queen Camilla has long been known as a devoted advocate for reading and literacy. She is the founder of The Queen’s Reading Room charity and a patron of multiple organizations, including the National Literacy Trust and BookTrust. Her efforts often involve visiting schools, libraries, and even prisons to promote literacy both in the UK and abroad.

During a speech at the third annual Queen’s Reading Room Festival at Chatsworth House in September, she reflected on how her literary initiative began during lockdown.

“As some of you may know, my Reading Room started humbly, and in the face of several naysayers, as a list of nine of my favourite novels, scribbled into my notepad during the first lockdown,” she said, as reported by GB News. “It’s now an online community of over 180,000 — with an annual audience of 12 million people from 183 countries — supported by a very special array of literary and literacy friends.”

A Tale of Two Residences

While the extensive renovations continue, King Charles and Queen Camilla are primarily residing at Clarence House in London, occasionally hosting state events at Windsor Castle. Interestingly, Clarence House already includes a library—once an entrance hall—converted by the late Queen Elizabeth II when she was still Princess Elizabeth.

Whether Buckingham Palace will soon have its own library once more, however, reportedly remains a point of contention between the King and Queen.