New photograph marks Queen’s 79th birthday

Buckingham Palace Distributes Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures

A Birthday Portrait at Hillsborough Castle

To commemorate her 79th birthday, a new photograph of Queen Camilla was released, captured last month in the state drawing room of Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. The image shows the Queen wearing a long blue dress. This portrait serves as a visual marking of the date, following a period of significant royal engagements. On June 13, 2026, the Queen appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the British royal family—including King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince William, Princess Kate, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince Louis, and Prince Edward—following the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London.

National Literacy Trust Partners with Queen Camilla for Reading Initiative

Literacy Initiative and the ‘Impossible Creatures’ Gift

The Queen’s birthday is anchored by a renewed focus on her long-standing commitment to literacy. Much of the Queen’s public work supports reading, including the creation of the Reading Room charity. In partnership with the National Literacy Trust—an organization for which she serves as patron—the Queen has launched a programme for the National Year of Reading 2026. As part of this effort, a royal family spokesperson stated that "…every Year 6 and P6 child across the UK will be gifted a special edition of the bestselling book ‘Impossible Creatures’ by award-winning author Katherine Rundell, this Christmas." The books are set to be distributed to children through schools and libraries.

Each copy will feature a personal message from the Queen. Her endorsement of the work is specific, as she describes the novel as a "brilliant fantasy that will introduce you to a host of mythical friends and terrifying enemies."

Prince William and Princess Catherine Send Birthday Wishes

Royal Family Tributes and Public Recognition

The Prince and Princess of Wales acknowledged the birthday through their official Instagram page. Resharing the official birthday portrait, Prince William and Princess Catherine wrote, "Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a very Happy Birthday!" This marks the first public message from William and Catherine to Queen Camilla following her meeting with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Highgrove. The Queen’s recent literary engagements also include a meeting with Harry Potter author JK Rowling at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to mark the start of Royal Week in Edinburgh, where the pair discussed their "shared passion for books" and the importance of children reading. Additionally, the Queen has supported the BBC’s 500 Words creative writing competition.

King Charles and Queen Camilla Attend State Banquet with Donald Trump

A Timeline of Recent Royal Engagements

The Queen’s 79th year has been marked by a diverse range of official duties and international diplomacy. On September 17, 2025, she and King Charles attended an official State Banquet at Windsor Castle with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania. In April 2026, the Queen participated in several high-profile events, including a tour of the White House beehives on April 27, 2026, with the President and First Lady, and a state dinner at the White House on April 28, 2026. During that same visit, the Queen and Melania Trump took part in a youth activity on the White House tennis court area. On April 29, 2026, the Queen visited the New York Public Library, where she spoke with actress and literary advocate Sarah Jessica Parker and met with Anna Wintour. On April 30, 2026, the Queen was seen petting a lamb during a block party in Front Royal, Virginia. More recently, on June 19, 2026, the King and Queen were seen at the Royal Ascot, reacting as their horse, Warrant Holder, came second during the Duke of Edinburgh stakes race. Camilla was crowned and anointed alongside King Charles III at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023, having married him in April 2005.