Queen Camilla Shares Glimpse Into Her Childhood in Rare Interview

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Queen Camilla is looking back at an early chapter of her life. 

During a recent trip to the United States with King Charles III, Queen Camilla revealed fond memories of her father, Bruce Shand, and how he inspired her lifelong passion for reading. She shared these personal stories while promoting her charity, The Queen’s Reading Room.

Camilla fondly remembered her father, telling Jenna Bush Hager on Today that he would read captivating stories to her and her siblings each night. She recalled how he’d sit at the foot of their beds and read, even when the stories were a little scary, and they’d hide under their pillows.

Speaking about her father, a British Army officer, she said he instilled in them a wonderful sense of curiosity.

During a visit to the New York Public Library, the Queen had the chance to honor one of her childhood favorites, A.A. Milne, by reading his beloved story, Winnie-the-Pooh, to a group of children. She shared with Jenna, who introduced her, that she has always loved the book.

The 78-year-old, who started her book club during the pandemic, highlighted the positive effect reading can have on everyone.

Camilla shared a widely held belief at the event – that reading is genuinely beneficial. She noted that books have a unique power to connect people, overcoming any differences between them. The event was attended by well-known book enthusiasts Sarah Jessica Parker and Anna Wintour.

Camilla and her husband’s trip to the US, celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary, is a significant event. However, her wish for Americans, particularly children, to read more isn’t new – it’s a continuing effort she’s long supported.

She encouraged everyone to keep reading, emphasizing its importance. Recent data shows a decline in reading among children, and she believes we need to find ways to reverse this trend.

As Charles and Camilla continue their trip, let’s revisit some of the most memorable royal events from this year.

Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on February 19th, his 66th birthday, and is suspected of wrongdoing while holding a public office.

The arrest happened while there was increasing public discussion about Andrew’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew maintains he has done nothing wrong.

Prince William and Princess Kate have publicly expressed their sympathy for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein following the release of court documents related to the convicted sex offender.

A spokesperson for The Prince and Princess said they are very worried about the ongoing disclosures and continue to think of those affected, according to a statement released to MS NOW on February 9th.

Marius Borg Høiby, the oldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, was arrested on February 1st for assault, threatening someone with a knife, and breaking a restraining order, according to a statement from Oslo police to the Associated Press.

The 29-year-old man, who isn’t a royal and doesn’t have any official responsibilities, will be held for up to four weeks due to concerns he might commit further crimes. An Oslo court approved the detention, and his lawyer, Petar Sekulic, says they are thinking about appealing the ruling.

Høiby is scheduled to appear in court on February 3rd to face charges related to four alleged rapes that occurred between 2018 and 2024, along with accusations of domestic violence and breaking a restraining order.

In a statement to the Associated Press, his lawyers said Høiby denies any sexual abuse and most of the accusations involving violence.

Flora Vesterberg, whose grandmother is Princess Alexandra – a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II – has announced she is expecting her first child with her husband, Timothy Vesterberg.

She announced on Instagram on January 19th that she and Timothy are expecting their first child, saying they are “over the moon” with happiness.

I was there at the High Court in London on January 19th, witnessing the start of what’s going to be a lengthy trial. It’s Harry taking on Associated Newspapers – the company behind the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday, and Mail Online – and he’s claiming they used really unfair and unethical methods to get their stories.

I’m following this story closely, and it’s become clear this isn’t just one person taking legal action. Along with the initial plaintiff, incredibly well-known figures like Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, and Sadie Frost are also involved in the lawsuit against the publishing company. It’s a pretty high-profile case, and I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about it soon.

Associated Newspapers has “vigorously denied” the claims, according to the BBC.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle marked their tenth anniversary as a couple by releasing a sweet black and white video showing them dancing together at home.

The couple shared a sweet video set to Olivia Dean’s song “So Easy (To Fall In Love),” and revealed that their 4-year-old daughter, Lilibet, was the one who filmed it. Meghan, who also shares 6-year-old son Archie with Harry, gave Lilibet credit in the caption of the January 16th Instagram post, writing, “cred: our daughter.”

The couple shared a cute photo from when they first started dating. It shows them hugging during a trip outdoors.

“When 2026 feels just like 2016….,” Meghan wrote in the caption. “You had to be there.”

Queen Sofia of Spain’s sister passed away on January 15th at the age of 83, according to an announcement from the Greek royal family’s office.

The Greek Royal Family announced with great sadness the death of Princess Irene, a cherished sister and aunt, who passed away on Thursday, January 15th, 2026, at 11:40 AM local time at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. She was surrounded by family when she died.

The funeral for her took place on January 19th at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Athens, and she was buried at the Royal Cemetery of Tatoi.

On her 44th birthday, the Princess of Wales shared a message on the power of nature to heal.

In a recent video, Kate reflected on winter’s unique ability to bring calm and self-reflection. She described how the season’s stillness allows us to slow down, look inward, and connect with both our own thoughts and the natural world around us, as shown through beautiful footage of snowy landscapes.

I’ve been thinking about how thankful I am. It’s like a natural flow within us washes away our fears, allowing us to accept our sadness and truly appreciate being alive and connected to nature. Nature is a gentle guide, reminding us of what we need to heal.

Princess Catherine made her first public appearance of 2026, joining Prince William at London’s Charing Cross Hospital. The visit was a show of support for healthcare workers and came nearly a year after she shared news that her cancer was in remission.

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2026-04-30 21:51