Queen Camilla chooses novel imagining Charles as hostage for book club

Queen Camilla has selected a novel for her book club, depicting a security breach in Parliament and imagining Prince Charles as a hostage.

The book, about a Parliamentary security breach, is chosen by Camilla for her book club.

Published in 2007, “The Lords’ Day” narrates a gripping story of a security breach at the State Opening of Parliament. Author Michael Dobbs expressed his delight and surprise at the novel being selected, stating that he felt overjoyed, very excited, and deeply humbled. Dobbs also remarked that the Queen’s choice reflected her fantastic sense of humor.

The thriller revolves around a siege of the House of Lords, where the late Queen Elizabeth and then-Prince Charles find themselves among those held captive. Notably, the book stirred controversy upon its initial release as it delved into potential security flaws within the Parliament.

Dobbs clarified that his work, “The Lords’ Day,” was not intended as a guide for terrorists, but rather as a novel offering security solutions that ultimately strengthened security measures. As a member of the House of Lords, he has also authored other books, including the original “House of Cards.”

About a year ago, Dobbs sent a copy of his book to the new King and Queen, not anticipating them to read it due to their busy schedules. Recently, he was surprised to discover that “The Lords’ Day” had been included in The Queen’s Reading Room book list, alongside literary giants like Dickens and Tolstoy. Dobbs expressed his astonishment at having his novel featured among such esteemed authors, emphasizing the Queen’s commitment to promoting reading and expanding people’s perspectives through literature.

In November of last year, the King undertook the State Opening of Parliament for the first time since ascending to the throne, accompanied by the Queen. This longstanding ceremony, originating in the 15th Century, signifies the commencement of a parliamentary session, uniting the key components of Parliament – the Crown, peers, and Members of Parliament.

The Queen’s Reading Room, initially introduced as an online book club on Instagram, transitioned into a charitable organization in February of the previous year. Curated by the Queen herself, it features a selection of recommended reads. Notable titles on the list include “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus, “Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernardine Evaristo, and “The Year of Eating Dangerously” by the Queen’s son, Tom Parker Bowles.

This organization not only provides reading suggestions but also hosts an annual literary festival and has recently launched a new podcast.

The book promises to be a page-turner, and I can’t wait to dive into the world of royalty and espionage. Let’s all grab a copy and get ready for some captivating reading while we imagine what it would be like if the royals found themselves in a real-life hostage situation. Who knows, maybe it’ll give us all a glimpse into the secrets of the palace!