Camilla remembers Mr Darcy scene in Chatsworth literary visit

The Mr Darcy lake scene from the BBC’s adaptation of Pride And Prejudice was remembered by Queen Camilla during a visit to Chatsworth House for her annual literary festival.

The Queen greeted book lovers during a reception at the Grade I listed stately home in Derbyshire on Friday, marking the 250th anniversary year of author Jane Austen’s birth.

The Queen’s Reading Room, a charity she founded following the success of her Instagram book club in the pandemic, hosts its third festival at the grounds on Saturday.

She told the gathering: “Who can forget the infamous scene of Mr Darcy emerging from the lake in the BBC version?

“It seems only fitting that, in the 250th year anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, we are reminded that this magnificent backdrop was her inspiration for Pemberley in Pride And Prejudice.”

The Queen was welcomed on her visit by Lord William Burlington, the chairman of The Chatsworth House Trust, who thanked her for “this amazing opportunity”.

Addressing him, she said: “Maybe, William, we can persuade you to re-enact the [Darcy] scene here to add to the excitement of the day?”

The Queen added: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that books make life better.

“They allow us to see through another’s eyes, they comfort and encourage us, make us laugh, make us cry and free us to travel the globe without stepping outside our front doors.

“As some of you may know, my Reading Room started humbly and, in the face of several naysayers, as a list of nine of my favourite novels scribbled on a notepad during the first lockdown.

“It is now an online community of over 180,000, with an annual audience of 12 million people from 183 countries, supported by a very special array of literary and literacy friends.”

At the start of her speech, the Queen told the guests: “You will have to excuse if my voice gives halfway through, but as you can imagine I’ve been doing quite a lot of talking the last few days. I’ll try to hang onto it.”

The Queen missed the Duchess of Kent’s funeral on Tuesday because she had acute sinusitis, but attended events during President Donald Trump’s state visit later in the week.

The Queen, who wore a black dress with white polka dots by Fiona Clare, greeted famous faces including the author and president of the Jane Austen Society, Gill Hornby, author and TV presenter Richard Osman, and broadcaster and writer Gyles Brandreth.

She watched as Mr Brandreth – one of the trustees of the project – and Ms Hornby held a discussion about the life and work of Austen on the steps of the Painted Hall.

The Queen spoke to people who have been helped by The Elm Foundation, a charity which helps people affected by domestic abuse, about how books provide escapism and the positive impact of reading.

She later marvelled at objects from Austen’s life, including a first edition of Pride and Prejudice which was previously owned by Lady Caroline Lamb, a late 18th Century novelist – and described the items as “treasures”.

She also added books to The Queen’s Reading Room book donation station, including some of Austen’s work, which will be given to The Elm Foundation.

The Queen said she was “tempted” to stay for a showing of Pride And Prejudice on the lawns of the house before telling the crowd to “enjoy it”.

Before leaving Chatsworth, she spoke to Rivals author Dame Jilly Cooper and Bridgerton actress Kathryn Drysdale.