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The monarch extended invitations to well-known writers to commemorate the 100th year of the most iconic dollhouse in the world, the day after King Charles was released from the hospital.
She created a tiny manuscript for the library of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, as did some of the nation’s best-loved writers, from Sir Tom Stoppard and Dame Jacqueline Wilson to Sir Ben Okri and Alan Bennett.
Camilla playfully mentioned that creating a small book for the 100th anniversary of the renowned dolls’ house had a negative impact on her vision.
The King’s consort stood by her husband’s side on Monday as he left hospital following treatment for an enlarged prostate and a day later was all smiles during a Windsor Castle reception to thank those involved in the project.
She commended the assembled authors, bookbinders, and illustrators for their contributions to the “fantastic” project and shared, “As a child, I was captivated by the books when I first saw the dollhouse.”
of children’s books
Queen Camilla of Britain is observing the Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House while hosting a reception at Windsor Castle for authors, illustrators, and binders of children’s books.
The thought of physically encountering these significant authors and their written works was incredibly thrilling – the idea that I could be reading something written by Conan Doyle, or anyone else for that matter.
“I am confident that future generations will also hold the same admiration for all of you. They will open these books and exclaim, ‘Wow, how amazing!’ It’s truly amazing to witness the works of Alan Bennett and Tom Stoppard.”
She made her guests laugh with a witty remark: “I hope your vision hasn’t worsened too much – mine certainly has.”
Bennett, Stoppard, and Okri were present, along with numerous artisans who crafted the book bindings.
The construction of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House was finished in 1924, commissioned by King George V as a present from the country in honor of his wife following the end of World War I.
The library showcases styles from the 1920s, however the addition of 20 new manuscripts refreshes the assortment with brief narratives, collections of poetry, illustrated stories, plays, articles, and recipes. Many of these works draw inspiration from the dolls’ house or were created specifically for this event.
During a reception at Windsor Castle, Queen Camilla converses with Haein Song, one of the authors, illustrators, and binders who have contributed to the new Miniature Library collection.
She expressed that the library is the most stunning area of the house for her.
“These recent publications showcase the immense diversity of literary skill in the 21st century. They serve as a reminder of our good fortune to be able to access the works of numerous exceptional authors who bring us happiness, solace, mirth, camaraderie, and optimism through their writing. They broaden our perspectives by sharing the experiences of others and provide reassurance that we are not alone.”
This is an immaculate 1:12 scale copy of an Edwardian house, equipped with electricity, functioning elevators, flowing water, opulent royal rooms, and operational servant quarters below the main living areas.
Julia Donaldson, a previous children’s laureate, produced a miniature rendition of her beloved children’s book, The Gruffalo, with illustrations by the original artist, Axel Scheffler.
She explained that figuring out the new pagination and making her handwriting very small was difficult, but Axel had a more challenging task of creating additional pictures.
Camilla, Queen of England, holds a gathering at Windsor Castle in Berkshire for the writers, artists, and bookbinders who contributed to the creation of the new miniature library collection.
Sir Ben Okri, a poet and novelist, won the Booker Prize in 1991 for his book The Famished Road. He expressed that he finds something enchanting about creating on a small scale. For this project, he crafted a miniature book containing his poems. He believes that writing in a small format allows for a deeper focus and transports one into the mysterious realm of art.
However, the Dolls’ House is also a enigmatic realm that, upon discovery, ignites a hidden desire to reside within it.
Alan Bennett created The Mantelpiece for the project while Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles, a food writer, was also asked to contribute and produced A Recipe Fit for a Queen.
Sir Tom Stoppard, a playwright, titled his small manuscript “Kolya’s Glove” and stated, “As a child, I was intrigued by Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, although I’m not sure if I ever saw it in person. I likely read about it.”
When I was young, the shrinking process seemed like magic to me. Therefore, I was very excited to be asked to help with the creation of the new Dolls’ House library many years later.
The King spent three nights at The London Clinic and was admitted on Friday. He left the hospital shortly after Queen Camilla was seen smiling in a black Audi car on her way to visit him for the fourth time.
The monarchs of Britain, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, were spotted departing The London Clinic on January 29, 2024 in London, England. King Charles III has been undergoing medical care for an enlarged prostate.
On Friday, Queen Camilla informed those at The London Clinic that the King’s condition was “satisfactory” following the medical procedure.
Kate Middleton, who is the daughter-in-law of the King, was recently admitted to the hospital for an abdominal surgery. She was admitted a few hours earlier than the King, who had also undergone a similar surgery two weeks prior. The reason for her surgery has not been disclosed. According to a statement released by Kensington Palace on Monday, she is now recovering at home and is making good progress.
The future Queen, who is 42 years old, is projected to resume her official duties after Easter. In the meantime, the Prince of Wales has taken a temporary break from his royal responsibilities in order to care for her and their children.
Source: independent.co.uk
