Queen Camilla has reportedly started giving “nicknames” to high-ranking members of the Royal Household after participating in a project that took her away from her royal responsibilities. The Queen, known for her love of books, recently landed a dream role in a novel by popular crime writer Peter James, where she and King Charles are featured characters.
In the book titled The Hawk Is Dead: A Killer In The Palace, part of James’ well-received Roy Grace series, Camilla plays a significant role in a story centered around a detective investigating a murder within Buckingham Palace.
Inspired by the novel, it seems that the Queen has begun assigning nicknames to senior members of the Royal Household, as shared by Richard Eden of the Mail, who noted that reality is mirroring fiction. According to Eden, Peter James incorporated the names of Royal Household staff members in his latest work, with Queen Camilla and detective Roy Grace searching for a killer in Buckingham Palace.
Reportedly, the Queen has taken to calling senior Royal Household members by the nicknames used in the book. For instance, she refers to the master of the Royal Household, Vice Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt, as ‘Tommy,’ which mirrors the character ‘General Tommy’ in the novel.
The publishers of the book, Pan Macmillan, described the plot as beginning with a dramatic incident involving the Royal Train, leading detective Roy Grace on a gripping journey into the heart of Buckingham Palace. The narrative unfolds as Grace investigates a murder and a potential royal assassination attempt, highlighting the Queen’s Reading Room project along the way.
The official website for the Queen’s Reading Room outlines the initiative’s goal of celebrating and promoting the power and benefits of reading, featuring a quote from Queen Camilla herself. She emphasizes how books have enriched her life from childhood and the extraordinary power they hold, expressing joy in witnessing the project evolve into a vibrant book community.
Speaking about the Queen’s appreciation for his work, Peter James, who has reportedly formed a friendship with Camilla, was deeply moved by her selection of his character, Grace, as her favorite detective. He mentioned that Camilla was enthusiastic about her inclusion in the book and received valuable input from the royal household, including Queen Camilla herself.