The Queen’s Reading Room, a charitable initiative focused on promoting literature, has announced the introduction of the Queen’s Reading Room Medal. This new recognition aims to honor individuals dedicated to enhancing reading within their communities and address the ongoing reading crisis affecting the UK.

Inaugural Announcement

This award was officially presented during a reception hosted by Her Majesty the Queen at Clarence House on March 25th. The event witnessed the presence of notable authors such as Anthony Horowitz, Peter James, Ann Cleeves, Kate Atkinson, and Donna Tartt, along with celebrities including Sigourney Weaver, Joanna Lumley, Adjoa Andoh, Stanley Tucci, and Richard E Grant.

Nomination Process

Nominations for the inaugural Queen’s Reading Room Medal will open on April 1st and remain open until late 2025. The first recipients of this award are scheduled to be honored in 2026. Anyone aged 18 and older is eligible to nominate themselves or others for this distinction. Shortlisting of nominees will take place in January 2026.

Judging Panel

The selection of award recipients will be guided by a panel of esteemed judges, including:

• Jonathan Douglas – CEO of the National Literacy Trust
• Alison Tweed – CEO of Book Aid International
• Dan Conway – CEO of The Publishers Association
• Sarah Mears – Programmes Director for Libraries Connected
• Nels Abbey – Founder of The Black Writers’ Guild
• Dame Gail Rebuck – Chair of Penguin Random House
• Ann Cleeves – Author and Founder of Reading for Wellbeing