As autumn arrives and the days grow cooler, there is nothing quite like curling up beneath a blanket, sipping a warm drink and losing yourself in a good book. Looking for your next read? We have shared some of the royals’ favourite books, from sweeping romances and captivating fiction to fantastical worlds they simply can’t get enough of.
Here are some of the books our royals have recommended for your reading list
Queen Rania of Jordan
It looks like Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan has a fondness for romantic stories. In a 2009 interview, the queen revealed that her all-time favourite English book is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: “I could not imagine a world where Mr Darcy didn’t exist. Neither could the millions who have also been to Netherfield Park and back; this one thing we have in common.”
Queen Camilla
Her Majesty Queen Camilla set up an online literary hub and charity, The Queen’s Reading Room, where she shared her book recommendations and favourite books. The Architect’s Apprentice by Elif Shafak is one of her favourites. Set in 16th-century Istanbul during the peak of the Ottoman Empire, the novel follows Jahan, a young boy who arrives at the Sultan’s palace tending to a rare white elephant. He eventually becomes an apprentice to Mimar Sinan, the legendary royal architect.
The Queen described it as a “mesmerising, beautifully written and magical book” and a “magical, colourful tale” that perfectly balances history with imagination.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi
Being an author herself, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour is the ultimate bookworm. A quick look at her Instagram, where she regularly shares quotes from her latest reads, makes that abundantly clear. With such a varied reading list, choosing a favourite is no easy task.
In an interview, the Emirati royal revealed that the spiritual masterpiece The Alchemy of Happiness by Al-Ghazali is a book that changed her life completely.
Catherine, Princess of Wales
Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales is known for her love of classic literature, particularly 19th-century British fiction, and frequently reads children’s literature with her family. But she mentioned reading the best-selling thriller The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins during a royal engagement in August 2016.
Sheikha Salama Bint Hazza Al Nahyan
Her Highness Sheikha Salama bint Hazza is a renowned Emirati author, celebrated for her contributions to children’s literature. When it comes to her own reading recommendations, her tastes span a diverse range of works, with one title standing out in particular: Mikhail Bulgakov’s acclaimed literary masterpiece, The Master and Margarita.
