Queen Camilla visited the Charles Dickens House Museum yesterday to mark 100 years since the historic building opened to the public.
The Queen toured the property at 48 Doughty Street, which served as Dickens' London home from 1837 to 1839.
The visit celebrated the centenary of the museum, which was saved from demolition and renovated by The Dickens Fellowship before opening in 1925.
During her tour, Her Majesty was accompanied by three of Charles Dickens' descendants.
Queen Camilla visited the Charles Dickens House Museum yesterday to mark 100 years since the historic building opened to the public.
PA
The Queen viewed some of the museum's original material relating to Dickens' work and wider collection.
The Charles Dickens Museum houses the world's most comprehensive repository of material related to the celebrated author.
A selection of letters written by Dickens were performed by Simon Callow and Miriam Margolyes during the visit.
Both are patrons of the museum and brought the author's words to life for the special occasion.
Before departing, Queen Camilla took time to meet with the museum's staff and volunteers who help maintain this important literary landmark.
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Before departing, Queen Camilla took time to meet with the museum's staff and volunteers who help maintain this important literary landmark.
During his time at the Doughty Street residence, Dickens completed several major works including The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby.
He also edited Bentley's Miscellany while living at the address.
In 1923, the building was purchased by the Dickens Fellowship and rescued from demolition.
After renovation, it opened on 9 June 1925 as The Dickens House.
Today's visit comes just one day after The Queen celebrated the fourth anniversary of her Reading Room initiative.
Her Majesty revealed the project has grown to reach 12 million readers across 173 countries.
During a reception at Clarence House, the Queen acknowledged there had been "quite a few naysayers" who doubted the initiative would succeed when it began as a lockdown reading list.
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During a reception at Clarence House, the Queen acknowledged there had been "quite a few naysayers" who doubted the initiative would succeed when it began as a lockdown reading list.
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At the Clarence House event, the Queen launched The Queen's Reading Room Medal to recognise those championing books and storytelling in their communities.
"From its humble beginnings, my Reading Room now reaches over 12 million people in 173 countries each year," the Queen told guests, to gasps and cheers.
Her Majesty was supported by her entire family including the King, her sister Annabel Elliot, and her children Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes.
