The "Unusual" Hobby Enjoyed by Queen Camilla Until Tragedy Struck in 2024
The Queen recently revealed the unexpected activity in a personal letter to an author.


Much has been written about the hobbies enjoyed by members of the Royal Family. For instance, Queen Camilla's son, Tom Parker Bowles, shared that his mom and her husband, King Charles, are "deeply competitive" when it comes to mushroom foraging. The Queen is also a huge fan of ballet, but once injured herself during a "Silver Swans" class. Now, it's been revealed that Camilla used to enjoy a slightly "unusual" hobby, but that sadly may have changed in 2024, per the Express.
Author David Seow has revealed that he sent a copy of his book, The Royal Pup Pack: Catastrophe At The Palace, to Queen Camilla via Buckingham Palace.
The author took to Instagram to share a letter he received from Camilla, dated November 4, 2024, which said, "Many thanks for your kind letter and for sending me a copy of your new book, which I much look forward to reading." She continued, "Please keep writing—the world needs authors and artists!" Camilla then signed the letter by hand, and wrote a personal note underneath, saying, "My dogs enjoyed it too!"
A post shared by David Seow (@kidsauthordavidseow)
A photo posted by on
Unfortunately, Camilla was left "heartbroken" in November as her beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Beth, died. According to People, Beth "had an untreatable tumor and had to be put down." As a result, Camilla's "unusual" hobby of reading to her dogs may have been placed on pause.
Queen Camilla and King Charles shared news of Beth's death on Instagram, writing, "A sad farewell to Beth, The Queen’s much-loved companion from @Battersea Dogs and Cats Home who brought such joy, whether on walkies, helping on official duties, or curled up by the fire." Although The King and Queen lost Beth, whom they adopted in 2011, they still own a second Jack Russell named Bluebell.
A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)
A photo posted by on
Camilla is such a fan of reading that she launched a book club during the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequently created a charity, The Queen's Reading Room, dedicated to encouraging people to engage with books.
At an event celebrating the 70th anniversary of Book Aid International in September, Queen Camilla shared her love of reading in an impromptu speech. "I have visited quite a lot of countries on my travels and I have been to libraries which have been recipients of Book Aid, and I have just seen the joy on the children's faces when they receive these books," she told attendees (via the Daily Mail). "And if we can keep on doing this all over the world, we're going to make a very, very big difference to people reading books, children getting access to books—and it's really thanks to Book Aid and all of you here who have made this possible."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Amy Mackelden is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.
-
Princess Beatrice Is Following in the Footsteps of a Surprising Royal
The second-time mom has an incredible example in this regal figure.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Sienna Miller Debuts Her Boho-Chic 2.0 Aesthetic
The 'Alfie' alum styled a Canadian tuxedo suede for breakfast in London.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Michelle Williams Says Goodbye to Her Signature Pixie for This Trendy New Style
The actress is following in the footsteps of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
This Surprising Duo Has Been Called the "Most Compatible Royal Couple"
"They have had this deep love since they were both very young."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
How Queen Camilla Is "Showing Her Strength" as King Charles Cancels All Plans After Hospitalization
Charles has been forced to cancel "an African spa retreat," which he planned to take with Camilla.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Why Queen Camilla Has Been Issued a "Strict" Warning Regarding Her Meeting With the Pope
Her royal tour of Italy comes with a unique set of rules.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle Shared a Rare Video Filmed by Prince Harry on Instagram
And she used her nickname for him in the shoutout she wrote in the video's caption.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Meghan Markle Sent a Handwritten Note to a Podcaster Who Said She Was "Scared" for the Royal Before Her Netflix Show Premiered
Mailing a handwritten note to reply to an Instagram comment might be the most Meghan Markle thing of all time.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Prince Harry’s Ex, Cressida Bonas, Is Launching a Podcast and Princess Eugenie Is Already Lined Up as a Guest
Other famous faces in the podcast's launch announcement video include Kate Winslet, Mary Berry, and Camilla Alves McConaughey.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Queen Camilla Once Joked "Don't Tell The King" After Proposing Hilarious Reality Show Idea
She'd certainly bring in a big audience.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Why Queen Camilla Is a "Stranger to Self-Pity" After Difficult Health Battles and Public Criticism
A source said Camilla draws her strength from a strong "sense of duty" despite her recent challenges.
By Kristin Contino Published