the Duchess of Cornwall has described reading as the “base of learning” and revealed that her grandchildren “teach her things.”
Camilla’s comments were made during her visit to Cornwall last week when she went on a school tour in her role as patroness of the charity Silver Stories, which encourages young people to read to the elderly.
She spoke to Lady Esther Rantzenan administrator of the charity, who joined the Duchess at Charlestown School in St Austell, and the interview will later be broadcast on BBC Morning Live on BBC One.
“I think all young children need to boost their confidence, especially to read, which, as we all know, is the foundation of learning,” said the Duchess.
“You can see how much fun these listeners are having listening to kids – it’s the highlight of their week.”
She added: “Well, what’s so great about being a grandma, they teach you things and hopefully they learn a few things from us.”
During the visit Camilla met the founders of Silver Stories, Elisabeth and David Carney-Haworth, and talked to a group of Silver Listeners and Silver Readers about their experiences in the school library.
Camilla’s Instagram-based book club The Reading Room has proved popular. She has more than six patronages related to literature, including the National Literacy Trust, and has awarded the prestigious Booker Prize in recent years.