The Queen was depicted in a comic strip from The Beano, where she came to the rescue of Dennis the Menace for reading a comic in a library. The special comic strip was presented to Camilla during her visit to the National Library of Scotland in central Edinburgh. In the comic, the Queen is seen helping Dennis the Menace after he gets scolded by his mother for wearing headphones. Camilla emphasized the importance of audiobooks as a form of reading during the event.
During the visit, Queen Camilla encouraged Dennis and his dog Gnasher to participate in the National Year of Reading, stating that comics and audiobooks should also be included in the reading journey. Camilla, who grew up reading The Beano, humorously remarked on a cartoon image of herself, expressing her amusement.
Mike Stirling, a storyboard creator at The Beano, highlighted the significance of comics and audiobooks in promoting reading, commending the Queen’s support for this notion. The Queen, a longstanding patron of the National Literacy Trust, launched the Nation Year of Reading campaign in Scotland with the aim of fostering a reading habit among individuals, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day.
Addressing a round table discussion on the campaign, the Queen expressed concern over the closure of libraries in Scotland and stressed the importance of encouraging people to read amidst the prevalence of digital devices. Camilla also engaged in drawing Dennis the Menace and Gnasher alongside school children during the event.
Jonathan Douglas, the chief executive of the National Literacy Trust, praised Camilla’s drawing skills, sparking a light-hearted exchange with the artist. The event concluded with Camilla meeting ambassadors and supporters of the literacy trust, including renowned authors like Sir Ian Rankin and Val McDermid.
The Queen’s visit coincided with the release of new data showing a decline in reading enjoyment among children and young people in the UK. With her involvement in promoting literacy and reading, the Queen aims to inspire children and adults to embrace reading as a valuable activity. The engagement concluded with Camilla posing with supporters and children at the library, emphasizing the importance of reading in today’s digital age.