Overview
- Queen Camilla, who visited on Tuesday, took part in Heywood Hill’s bespoke reading consultation and named favourites including The Cazalet Chronicles, The Count of Monte Cristo and A Gentleman in Moscow.
- She told staff she reads about 80% fiction and 20% non‑fiction and said plainly that she 'hates sci‑fi', pronouncing it 'sky‑fi'.
- The Queen rolled up her sleeves in the packing room, helped two full‑time packers wrap an order, and was listed on the shop rota as 'CR' with a crown symbol.
- During the tour she unveiled a plaque designating a 'Queen’s Room', noted a family link through her late father Major Bruce Shand who was a Heywood Hill customer, and later crossed to Shepherd Market to meet local traders.
- Heywood Hill is known for its tailored year‑long reading subscriptions and an international subscriber map, and the royal visit will raise the profile and public interest in the independent shop and its literary services.