Queen Consort Camilla has seemingly waded into the ongoing literary debate over Roald Dahl’s publisher rewriting passages of his children’s books, in a speech at Clarence House.
The 75-year-old today held a reception to mark the second anniversary of Her Majesty’s Reading Room after recovering from Covid.
Addressing the crowd, Camilla welcomed ‘writers, publishers and book lovers’ to the event and ended her speech with a nod to Puffin’s sensitivity rewrite of certain Roald Dahl passages.
The Queen Consort encouraged writers: ‘Please remain true to your calling, unimpeded by those who may wish to curb the freedom of your expression or impose limits on your imagination. Enough said.’
Her comments come after Puffin hired sensitivity readers to rewrite chunks of Dahl’s texts to ensure the books ‘can continue to be enjoyed by all today’.
Queen Consort Camilla waded into the ongoing literary debate over Roald Dahl’s publisher rewriting passages of his children’s books, as she welcomed guests to her literary reception
Camilla welcomed many prolific literary individuals to Clarence House to celebrate the second anniversary of her Reading Room including author Charlie Mackesy and his dog Barney
During her speech Camilla wadded in on the debate surrounding author Roald Dahl’s (pictured) sensitivity rewrite
The move has sparked fury among some literary fans including acclaimed writer Sir Salman Rushdie who branded the move as ‘absurd censorship’.
Edits include descriptions of characters’ physical appearances for example removing the word ‘fat’, making some characters gender neutral, and references to the colours ‘black’ and ‘white’ are also said to have been removed.
In her speech Camilla quoted John Steinbeck, who said: ‘I am impelled, not to squeak like a grateful and apologetic mouse, but to roar like a lion out of pride in my profession and in the great and good men who have practised it through the ages.’
Referencing this quote Camilla told authors: ‘Let there be no squeaking like mice about your achievements, but only roaring like a pride of lions.’
Addressing the crowd, Camilla welcomed ‘writers, publishers and book lovers’ to the event and ended her speech with a nod to Puffin’s sensitivity rewrite of certain Roald Dahl passages
In her speech Camilla quoted John Steinbeck, who said: ‘I am impelled, not to squeak like a grateful and apologetic mouse, but to roar like a lion out of pride in my profession’
The Queen Consort met Jacqueline Wilson during her reception at Clarence House for authors, members of the literary community and representatives of literacy charities
The Queen Consort met with many literary professionals and lovers at her event including author Charlie Mackesy and his dog Barney
In the UK many people have been outraged by Puffin’s sensitivity rewrite of the popular children’s books and have slammed efforts by ‘woke’ sensitivity gurus to rewrite and censor Roald Dahl’s beloved literature, removing ‘offensive’ language, branding it ‘horrific’ and ‘ridiculous’.
Considerable edits have been made to descriptions of the characters’ physical appearances – the new editions no longer use the word ‘fat’, which has been cut from every book, and the Oompa Loompas are now gender neutral.
But the move has triggered a wave of outrage, with 98 per cent of MailOnline readers demanding the best-selling author’s works are kept in their original form.
Some parents have even said that they will be boycotting the updated novels as the changes were branded as ‘absolutely insane’, with one saying: ‘If you’re that easily offended, then stay at home wrapped in bubble wrap.’
Richard E. Grant (pictured right) was among the attendees at Queen Consort Camilla’s reception at Clarence House
Camilla is pictured here speaking with British authors Sebastian Faulks and Philippa Gregory at Clarence House
British actor Toby Stephens is pictured here in conversation with Queen Consort Camilla to celebrate the second anniversary of her Reading Room
The Queen Consort Camilla also met meets Simon Sebag Montefiore during today’s event at Clarence House
The Queen Consort, while not making an outright reference to the censorship, wadded in at the end of her speech to encourage writers to be true to themselves
As an avid lover of literature, Queen Consort Camilla launched Her Majesty’s Reading Room two years ago
Queen Consort Camilla was joined by her husband King Charles III at Clarence House for Thursday’s literary event
The Queen Consort, while not making an outright reference to the censorship, wadded in at the end of her speech to encourage writers to be true to themselves and not let others ‘curb the freedom of [their] expression.’
Siding with those against the censorship of the beloved children’s author Camilla said: ‘I would like to take this opportunity to echo that lion’s roar on your behalf – and, of course, to rectify the unaccountable omission of great and good women… ‘
As an avid lover of literature Camilla told authors to take ‘enormous pride’ in their work and that they bring ‘joy, comfort, laughter companionship and hope’ to many.
She explained: ‘You open our eyes to others’ experiences and remind us that we are not alone.
‘Human beings have always needed to connection of literature – its wisdom as well as its sheer escapism.
King Charles III was caught on camera smiling and laughing during an animated conversation with author Michael Morpurgo
King Charles III is pictured here chatting with Joseph Coelho at his wife’s Reading Room event on Thursday
King Charles III joined his wife Queen Consort Camilla on Thursday for the second anniversary celebration of her Reading Room
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla look jubilant during Thursday’s events at Clarence House for the Reading Room’s second anniversary
Camilla looked to be in a deep conversation with author Charlie Mackesy, who brought his dog Barney along for the celebrations
King Charles III and Camilla sharing a tender moment at Clarence House during celebrations for the second anniversary of the Reading Room
During her speech Camilla made a reference to the censorship of Roald Dahl’s books, which has been causing outrage recently
King Charles III accompanied his wife at her reception to celebrate the second anniversary of The Reading Room
‘In today’s challenging climate, we need it more than ever.’
She launched her Reading Room, two years ago, and has since received ‘countless letters and online comments,’ demonstrating this view.
Reading between the lines, Camilla and many others are angered by the rewrite of Dahl’s work.
They are not alone, with even Prime Minister Rishi Sunak backing fans. Downing Street said the Prime Minister had concerns about rewriting the books – and quoted Dahl’s BFG in a warning not to ‘gobblefunk’ with words.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said today: ‘When it comes to our rich and varied literary heritage, the Prime Minister agrees with the BFG that we shouldn’t gobblefunk around with words.’
In the UK many people have been outraged by Puffin’s sensitivity rewrite of the popular children’s books. Camilla’s comments come after Roald Dahl’s (pictured) publishers Puffin hired sensitivity readers to rewrite chunks of Dahl’s texts to ensure the books ‘can continue to be enjoyed by all today’
The expression – meaning to play around – is a reference to a line spoken by the big friendly giant in Mr Dahl’s book.
The official added: ‘I think it’s important that works of literature and works of fiction are preserved and not airbrushed.
‘We have always defended the right to free speech and expression.’
On the contrary, His Dark Materials author Sir Philip Pullman suggested Mr Dahl’s works should be left to ‘fade away’ and go out of print as modern tastes move on.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘I think Roald Dahl can look after himself, I haven’t read his books for very many years and I don’t want to again.’
Sir Philip added: ‘If Dahl offends us, let him go out of print.’
Camilla’s Reading Room is a charity working to provide opportunities for the appreciation of literature among adults and children in the UK and around the world.
It seeks to advance education by closing the gap between writers and readers through accessible, educational and free literary content available year-round.
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