Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, has been compiling and sharing her reading list to the public amid the coronavirus lockdown. Royal fans are, apparently, delighted that Prince Charles's wife has come up with this project but some royal fans wonder if she was inspired by former U.S. President Barack Obama.
According to Daily Express, Obama has been listing down his favorite books every year since he became the president. He continues to do the same after leaving the White House and now has a Spotify podcast where he shares his favorite books.
In April, Camilla shared her very first reading list as people were stuck at home due to the pandemic. Her picks included a classic from Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, and some bestsellers and personal choices.
These books are Restless: A Novel by William Boyd, The Simon Serrailler Series by Susan Hill, The Book of Dust: The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman, The Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, The Red Notebook by Laurain Antoine, The Architect's Apprentice by Elif Shafak and Travels on My Elephant by Mark Shand.
The last book was written by the Duchess of Cornwall's late brother, who died in 2014. She said picking up the book always brings her to tears.
In early August, Camilla shared her second reading list to coincide with the summer holidays. Interestingly, one of her choices included a novel about a royal scandal. These are The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, Girl: A Novel by Edna O'Brien, Roy Grace series by Peter James, The Queen's Necklace by Alexander Dumas and The Island by Victoria Hislop.
Royal commentators Roberta Fiorito and Rachel Bowie said, in their Royally Obsessed podcast, that they enjoy Camilla's reading list because it makes her so relatable. It, also, brings out the personal side of the royal as she lets the public in on her favorite literature.
Camilla and Prince Charles are, currently, on a break from their royal duties. August is usually a time of rest and leisure for the Firm so they have fewer royal engagements.
The Duchess of Cornwall joined her husband for their summer break in Scotland in the first week of August. However, it is not known if the couple spent some time in Balmoral, where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have been isolating. The royal family usually spend parts of the summer with the monarch but activities this year have been limited due to the coronavirus.
