Queen Camilla Welcomes Sarah Jessica Parker to Clarence House for Special Booker Prize Reception

Queen Camilla hosted a distinguished literary reception at Clarence House this week, welcoming authors, judges, and supporters of the Booker Prize 2025. Among the notable guests was Hollywood icon Sarah Jessica Parker, who attended in her capacity as one of the esteemed judges for this year’s award (Source: The Guardian).

The Sex and the City star, now 60, greeted the 78-year-old Queen Consort with a graceful curtsy paired with a small bow—an interaction that quickly drew admiration online. Royal watchers praised the moment as “beautiful” and highlighted her warm, respectful demeanor (Source: BBC News).

Sarah Jessica Parker Among the Judges Celebrating Booker Prize 2025

The reception, held on Tuesday, marked the celebration of this year’s shortlisted authors and the announcement of the 2025 Booker Prize winner, David Szalay, honored for his novel Flesh. The book has been described by the judging panel as “a dark story, but a joy to read” due to its compelling prose and emotional depth (Source: The Telegraph).

As one of the five judges, Sarah Jessica Parker joined Roddy Doyle, Chris Power, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, and Kiley Reid in reviewing an impressive 153 submissions over the past year. Camilla, who has long championed literacy, reportedly told Parker:
“It’s one of your many hats.”

Parker responded with genuine enthusiasm:
“And the one I’m most proud of. It was thrilling, especially to be among this group—extraordinary, smart, and wise. We had such riches to discuss, and we are surrounded by such wonderful, exciting authors.”

Her participation continues her well-documented love of reading; Parker has previously launched book club initiatives and collaborated with publishing houses, a passion frequently noted in interviews (Source: The New York Times).

A Curtsy That Captivated Royal Fans

Footage shared from the event shows Sarah greeting Queen Camilla with both a curtsy and a bow—an elegant gesture that quickly made waves on social media. Fans took to X to praise her poise and respect:

“SJP looks so lovely and such a beautiful curtsy!” wrote one user.
Another joked: “This was NOT the crossover I was expecting—but I LOVE IT!”
A third added: “Very respectful curtsy! I love SJP!”

Royal etiquette experts often point out that curtsying is optional for non-British citizens, making the gesture particularly meaningful (Source: The Telegraph).

Queen Camilla’s Dedication to Literacy Continues

Queen Camilla has long been an advocate for literacy, one of the central pillars of her royal work. As noted on the official Royal Family website, she serves as patron of several literacy organisations and established the Queen’s Reading Room, a project dedicated to promoting a love of literature and supporting authors and readers (Source: Royal.uk).

Her commitment has made the Booker Prize a natural partnership. This year’s reception further highlighted her ongoing efforts to champion reading across the UK and the Commonwealth.

Camilla’s Recent Royal Duties

Beyond the Booker reception, Queen Camilla has remained active in royal engagements. Last weekend, she joined other members of the royal family at the Remembrance Sunday service, an annual tribute honoring the sacrifices of the armed forces (Source: BBC News).

On Tuesday evening, she appeared once again alongside King Charles and Prince William as they spent time with veterans during Remembrance events, underscoring the monarchy’s continued support for military communities (Source: The Independent).