Queen Camilla has visited a primary school in Islington to open a new Coronation Library this afternoon – a day after the first anniversary of the King’s historic crowning at Westminster Abbey.
The royal, 76, was the epitome of elegance in a long-sleeved midi length dress, featuring a peacock feather print comprising rich blue and green shades as she delighted pupils at Moreland Primary School.
In one adorable snap from Camilla’s visit, a pair of youngsters, Precious and Joanne, both 10, couldn’t hide their excitement as they watched the Queen make her way towards them.
Her Majesty’s outing comes as Prince Harry arrived in Britain alone today after flying in from California for a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in London tomorrow.
Ahead of the service, the Duke of Sussex, 39, visited Armoury House this afternoon for an Invictus Games discussion called ‘Realising a Global Community’ hosted by Louise Minchin.
The Prince had hoped to meet his estranged father the King during his short trip, which follows a previous quick visit in February after Charles’s cancer diagnosis – but Harry’s spokesman confirmed today that the Duke will not be meeting the monarch.
Queen Camilla has visited a primary school in Islington to open a new Coronation Library this afternoon – a day after the first anniversary of the King’s historic crowning at Westminster Abbey
Harry’s event was just three miles away from where Charles was at Clarence House, while Camilla’s outing was in the London borough of Islington.
The Queen opened Moreland Primary School’s new Coronation Library, the 50th in a series of special primary school libraries that have been transformed over the last twelve months with the help of the National Literacy Trust, to mark the historic occasion.
Her Majesty, as Patron of the National Literacy Trust, joined an interactive storytelling session with young librarians from primary schools across the city.
She then opened the new library before listening to Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho read a poem ’One Thousand Libraries’ that he has written for the occasion.
Finally, the Queen visited the playground, where the school choir performed and children gathered, waving flags decorated with their favourite book character.
The library at Moreland Primary School is the 1000th primary school library to open as part of the National Literacy Trust’s Libraries for Primaries campaign, which aims to establish libraries in UK primary schools in areas where local communities have low levels of literacy.
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that empowers children, young people and adults with the literacy skills they need to succeed.
For over 30 years the National Literacy Trust has continued to support schools, families and communities on a local and national level to help people change their stories.
Precious (second right) and Joanne, both 10, wait to see Queen Camilla during a visit to Moreland Primary School in London
The King’s wife, 76, was the epitome of elegance in a long-sleeved midi length dress, featuring a peacock feather print comprising rich blue and green shades
Queen Camilla is greeted by pupils in the playground of Moreland Primary School
The Queen visited the playground, where the school choir performed and children gathered, waving flags decorated with their favourite book character
The Queen (pictured today) opened Moreland Primary School’s new Coronation Library, the 50th in a series of special primary school libraries that have been transformed over the last twelve months with the help of the National Literacy Trust, to mark the historic occasion
Her Majesty (pictured greeting pupils in the playground), as Patron of the National Literacy Trust, joined an interactive storytelling session with young librarians from primary schools across the city
Storytime with Camilla! The Queen reads a story to pupils in the library of Moreland Primary School
Chief Executive, National Literacy Trust Jonathan Douglas, Queen Camilla and Moreland Primary Headteacher Catherine Lawrence, listen to British-Sierra Leonean rapper and storyteller Alim Kamara (right) during a performance at the assembly hall of the school
Her Majesty opened the first Coronation library in May last year at Shirehampton Primary School in Bristol.
The Coronation Libraries Programme celebrates Her Majesty’s strong advocacy not only for reading and literacy, but also for the vital importance of primary school libraries.
In collaboration with Libraries for Primaries, 50 Coronation libraries and reading spaces have been created across the UK since 2023 with the 50th library being opened at Moreland Primary School.
The 50 Libraries also receive a set of 23 books, chosen by children from across the country, which bear a commemorative bookplate featuring the Coronation emblem. In addition, a commemorative plaque is placed in each library.
The National Literacy Trust has already reached its target of transforming the libraries of 1,000 schools through Libraries for Primaries.
Her Majesty became Patron of the National Literacy Trust, as The Duchess of Cornwall, in November 2010.
Moreland Primary School serves over 400 children across its nursery and primary school in the London Borough of Islington. It has been working with the National Literacy Trust for ten years through the Young Readers Programme.
Camilla wasn’t the only royal out and about in London today – with Prince Harry attending an Invictus Games discussion in the British capital.
However, Harry’s spokesman confirmed today that the Duke would not be meeting his father during his trip to the UK.
Her Majesty, as Patron of the National Literacy Trust, joined an interactive storytelling session with young librarians from primary schools across the city
The Queen opened the new library before listening to Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho read a poem ’One Thousand Libraries’ that he has written for the occasion
Queen Camilla, as patron of the National Literacy Trust, meets with teachers and members of staff during a visit to Moreland Primary School
Her Majesty (pictured today) opened the first Coronation library in May last year at Shirehampton Primary School in Bristol
Beamign Camilla greets well-wishers upon her arrival at the Moreland Primary School in London
The Queen pets a dog upon her arrival at the Moreland Primary School in the British capital
Her Majesty’s (pictured today) outing at Moreland Primary School comes as Prince Harry arrived in Britain alone today after flying in from California for a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in London tomorrow
The spokesman said: ‘In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.
‘The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.’
Reacting to the news, royal expert Richard Palmer said: ‘It’s surprising if the King and Harry are not meeting at all and perhaps a sign of how much bridge-building still needs to be done.
‘There’s been much media speculation that father and son would meet. While that always looked like guessing, I’d have guessed they would meet too.’
Harry is understood to have various Invictus Games commitments today, according to ITV. Tomorrow, he is set to give a reading at a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral marking a decade since the inaugural competition in London in 2014.
Organisers had said there was no confirmation of any other royals attending, or if Harry’s wife Meghan Markle or children Archie and Lilibet would also be in the UK.
But Harry arrived in London by himself today, and is expected to join the Duchess on a tour to Nigeria later this week with Meghan set to fly there from the US by herself.
Harry is not anticipated to see his brother Prince William, who is scheduled to be away from the capital on Thursday and Friday, or his sister-in-law Kate Middleton whose cancer treatment continues following her revealing the diagnosis in March.
Earlier today, Charles was photographed being driven from Windsor Castle before arriving at Clarence House in London soon after. The King later held an audience nearby at Buckingham Palace with the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka.
The Duke has invited William and other senior members of the Royal Family to the service but none of them are expected to attend, sources told Page Six in the US.
Among the royals who could attend include his cousins Zara Tindall and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, but there has been no confirmation of this. Harry is expected to stay at a hotel in London because he no longer has Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.
Prince Harry meets Louise Minchin at the Invictus Games event at Armoury House today
Invictus Games Foundation chief executive Dominic Reid and Prince Harry at the Honourable Artillery Company in London this afternoon
King Charles III greets the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, at Buckingham Palace today
Today, Harry paid tribute to the Invictus Games family’s ‘commitment, enthusiasm and belief’ and joined an Invictus conference looking back over the past decade.
Harry arrived at the Honourable Artillery Company’s headquarters on the edge of the City of London for the one-day summit, called the Invictus Games Foundation Conversation, ahead of tomorrow’s service
Writing in the foreword for the summit, Harry said: ‘It has been an honour to watch the Invictus Games Foundation grow over the years; what began as a vision to pay tribute to the courage and resilience of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans, has flourished into an international organisation built on hope, strength, and unity.’
Harry was inspired to found the global tournament after attending the Warrior Games in Colorado in 2013 and seeing how injured American military personnel thrived on the challenge of taking part in competitive sports that aided their recovery.
He went on to stage the inaugural games in London’s Olympic Park in 2014, followed by Orlando in 2016, Toronto in 2017 and Sydney 2018.
Organisers said after 2020, Invictus will be staged every two years, but The Hague Games planned for that year was delayed by the pandemic until 2022, followed by Dusseldorf 2023, while Vancouver Whistler is planned for 2025.
The duke wrote: ‘As we look ahead to the first winter hybrid Games at Vancouver Whistler 2025 next year, we are eager to celebrate the Invictus Spirit once again – exemplified in every single competitor, staff, friend and family member – your commitment, enthusiasm and belief, have been the driving force behind our continued success.’
He added: ‘Together, we have created a legacy that transcends sports; a community that embraces compassion, respect, and the unyielding belief in the power of the human spirit. As we celebrate this milestone, let us recommit to the Invictus mission.’