15 December 2023 , 13:02
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Queen Camilla is set to follow her daughter-in-law into the podcasting business with the announcement of a new show to air in January.
Camilla, 76, is launching the new weekly series through her charity, the ‘Reading Room’ - whose sole aim is to promote the joy and wonder of reading. She will co-host the new podcast alongside Vicki Perrin, the charity’s CEO with the pair interviewing guests including Sir Ian Rankin and Dame Joanna Lumley.
Her Majesty founded the charity and book club in 2021 to develop the appreciation of literature among adults and children in the UK and around the world. The podcast aims to connect listeners with literary figures with the first season, which opens on January 8, taking us into the lives and literary influences of comedian David Baddiel, celebrated US author Ann Patchett as well as Rebus author Sir Ian Rankin and actress Dame Joanna Lumley.
Camilla, 76, is launching the new weekly series through her charity, the ‘Reading Room’The Queen will surely be hoping her new venture fares better than Meghan Markle ’s £18million foray into podcasting. The massive deal was axed in June following a mutual decision between platform Spotify and Archewell Audio – the Duchess and Prince Harry 's company.
The Sussexes had made just 12 podcasts in two-and-a-half years - with sources quoted in the Mail as saying the pair did not produce enough content to get the full payout from Spotify. Speaking during a rare media appearance in October Spotify boss Ek told the BBC: “We thought new innovation was needed to happen here. We thought we can come in and offer a great experience that both makes consumers very happy and allows new creators new avenues.”
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He added: "And the truth of the matter is some of it has worked, some of it hasn't. We're learning from those and we are moving on and we wish all of the ones we didn't renew with the best of success they can have going forward."
The Queen’s Reading Room series will invite listeners inside the reading rooms of authors and celebs to hear about their own journeys through the world of books, as well as featuring some recommendations from Queen Camilla herself. Vicki Perrin said: "There is nothing quite like a brilliant book recommendation from a friend, but it's even better when that person is one of your favourite authors or most admired persons.
"I hope that this podcast will inspire listeners to new literary adventures and help those wishing to love books a little more, find the books which set their imaginations alight."