Queen Camilla marked a powerful milestone this week by celebrating three decades of championing women’s voices in literature. On Wednesday, June 11, Her Majesty attended a special event held in Bedford Square, London, to honour the 30th anniversary of the Women’s Prize for Fiction — one of the UK’s most esteemed literary awards dedicated to female authors.
Attending the occasion without King Charles III, Queen Camilla stood at the heart of the celebration, reinforcing her long-standing support for women’s literature and storytelling.
A Royal Salute to Women Authors
The British Royal Family’s official Instagram shared exclusive photos of the 77-year-old monarch at the gathering, with a caption that read:
“30 years of celebrating women’s voices in literature! The Queen has joined brilliant authors at a special event for the Women’s Prize for Fiction in Bedford Square this afternoon.”
The Queen met with shortlisted authors, previous winners, and the judging panel of this year’s competition. She took time to connect with each writer, recognising their work and contributions to the literary world. Her presence offered a strong symbol of how far women’s storytelling has come — and how far it can still go.
Celebrating the Power of Female Storytelling
In her speech, Queen Camilla highlighted the transformation of the literary world over the past three decades. She praised the Women’s Prize Trust for not only giving a platform to talented women writers but also for creating access, encouragement, and visibility for female voices across genres and generations.
“Her Majesty met this year’s shortlisted authors, judges, and past winners, before addressing guests to congratulate them on the past three decades of incredible storytelling,” read a statement shared by the Royal Family.
A Special Honour for Bernardine Evaristo
One of the standout moments of the event was the presentation of the first-ever Women’s Prize Outstanding Contribution Award, which went to celebrated British author Bernardine Evaristo. Known for her groundbreaking novel Girl, Woman, Other, which won the Booker Prize in 2019, Evaristo has been a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the literary industry.
The Royal Family’s post concluded with a heartfelt tribute:
“Congratulations to Bernardine Evaristo, recipient of the first-ever Women’s Prize Outstanding Contribution Award!”
What Is the Women’s Prize Trust?
The Women’s Prize Trust is the charitable foundation behind the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Its mission is to support women writers at all stages of their careers and to inspire more people to read books by women. The trust runs several programs designed to empower female authors, encourage young writers, and ensure the continued representation of women’s voices in publishing.
By attending the event, Queen Camilla not only supported the shortlisted authors but also helped spotlight the trust’s critical role in shaping a more inclusive literary world.
Final Thought
Queen Camilla’s solo appearance at the Women’s Prize for Fiction celebration was more than a royal engagement — it was a sincere and powerful gesture of support for women authors. Her involvement underscores the growing recognition of women’s contributions to literature and the importance of continuing to amplify female voices.
As the literary world evolves, the Women’s Prize continues to be a beacon for talented writers, and with supporters like Queen Camilla, the message is clear: women’s stories matter — and they deserve to be celebrated, honoured, and remembered.
