During a rare television interview, the Queen expressed her delight with the US state visit, describing it as ‘wonderful’ and urging Americans to continue reading. Camilla, in a conversation with TV host Jenna Bush Hager at the New York Public Library, shared her message while engaging in activities related to her Reading Room charity. She read an excerpt from Winnie the Pooh to schoolchildren and presented a ‘Roo’ doll for the library’s collection.

Reflecting on the state visit, the Queen described it as “good fun” and emphasized the warmth and kindness received. She expressed her pleasure in being back in New York and conveyed a message to America on its 250th anniversary, encouraging the importance of reading, especially with declining reading rates among children.

During the interview on NBC’s TODAY show, Camilla highlighted the influence of her father, Major Bruce Shand, on her love for books, recounting how he used to captivate her with exciting and sometimes scary stories. The TV host, Bush Hager, reminisced about their first meeting in 2005 and expressed joy at reconnecting with Camilla, emphasizing their shared love for books.

The royal couple, King Charles and Queen, are concluding their four-day state visit, marking Charles’ first trip to the US as monarch. They will participate in a celebration in Virginia, where Charles will engage with an indigenous community and conservation efforts while the Queen visits a farm to showcase America’s horse racing industry and its historical ties with the UK.