New photo marks Queen Camilla's 79th birthday literacy push
Buckingham Palace has released a new photograph of Queen Camilla to mark her 79th birthday, alongside a UK-wide children's literacy gift. Every Year 6 and P6 pupil will receive a special edition of Katherine Rundell's Impossible Creatures this Christmas, underlining her long-running focus on reading.
Key Takeaways
- A new portrait of Queen Camilla was released for her 79th birthday on 17 July 2026.
- The photo was taken last month by Chris Jackson at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland.
- Every Year 6 and P6 child in the UK will get a special edition of Impossible Creatures this Christmas.
- The Prince and Princess of Wales publicly wished Queen Camilla a happy birthday on Instagram Stories.
- Vanity Fair notes ballet classes for over-55s as part of her well-being routine at 79.
What new photograph of Queen Camilla was released?
According to the BBC, Buckingham Palace issued a fresh image of Queen Camilla to celebrate her 79th birthday. The picture shows her in a long blue dress and was taken last month in the state drawing room of Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland.
Royal photographer Chris Jackson captured the portrait. The release is the public centrepiece of the birthday messaging from the Palace.
Why does Queen Camilla's birthday literacy gift matter?
The Palace said Queen Camilla is marking the day with a renewed commitment to children's literacy. Every Year 6 and P6 child across the UK will be gifted a special edition of Katherine Rundell's Impossible Creatures this Christmas.
Books will be distributed through schools and libraries. Each copy will carry a personal message from the Queen describing the novel as a "brilliant fantasy that will introduce you to a host of mythical friends and terrifying enemies."
The programme is run with the National Literacy Trust, of which she is patron, and forms part of the National Year of Reading 2026. Much of her public work already backs reading, including the Reading Room charity. Readers following wider cultural alerts on BlasterPost Fintech & Crypto Alerts will also see this birthday news framed as a high-visibility royal story.
How did William and Kate wish Queen Camilla a happy birthday?
Yahoo Entertainment reported that the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a sweet public message. They posted the palace tribute on their Instagram Stories with the line: "Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a very Happy Birthday!"
Their note sat alongside the official birthday portrait and literacy announcement, adding a personal family salute to the Palace's wider celebrations.
What keeps Queen Camilla active at 79?
Vanity Fair highlighted another birthday angle: her well-being routine. The outlet pointed to Silver Swans ballet classes designed for people over 55, plus consistent exercise she has long discussed as key to staying mobile and energised.
That health focus sits beside the literacy push that defined the official birthday narrative. Together, the new portrait, book gift, and family wishes give a clear picture of how Queen Camilla marked turning 79.