New photograph marks Queen's 79th birthday

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. New photograph marks Queen's 79th birthdayImage source, Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Buckingham PalaceByNoor NanjiRoyal correspondentPublished27 minutes agoA new photograph of Queen Camilla has been released to celebrate her 79th birthday. The picture, showing the Queen in a long blue dress, was taken last month in the state drawing room of Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. Buckingham Palace said the Queen was marking her birthday with a renewed commitment to supporting children's literacy, with the announcement that every year 6 and P6 child across the UK will be gifted a special edition of the book Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell this Christmas.

Much of the Queen's public work supports reading and literacy, including the creation of the Reading Room charity designed to promote the benefits of reading. Rundell's book will be distributed to children through schools and libraries. Each copy will contain a personal message from the Queen, who describes it as a "brilliant fantasy that will introduce you to a host of mythical friends and terrifying enemies".

The Details

The new UK book gifting and reading programme has been announced in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, which has the Queen as its patron. The programme is part of the National Year of Reading 2026, which aims to inspire the joy of reading and embed it in daily life. Last month, the Queen met Harry Potter author JK Rowling to mark the start of Royal Week in Edinburgh.

The pair discussed their "shared passion for books" and importance of children reading during the meeting at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. She has also supported the 's 500 Words creative writing competition for children.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.