Camilla hosts writers as they celebrate her online reading room

The Duchess of Cornwall has consoled Richard E Grant, whose wife died last month, telling the grieving actor she was “looking down” on him.

Camilla met the celebrity when she invited famous names from the world of art and literature to her home in Clarence House to celebrate her Instagram book club called The Reading Room.

After the duchess laid a comforting hand on Grant, whose wife is said to have died of cancer, the actor said: ‘The duchess knew my wife very well, who died last month.

“She was talking about her.

“She was very supportive.”

Describing the Duchess’ initiative as ‘wonderful’, the Swazi-born actor added: ‘I grew up in a country where there was no television service, so I’ve been an avid reader since I was four.

“I think the lockdown encouraged or allowed people to read a lot more than under normal circumstances.

“Reading was the gateway to everything I knew or loved in life.

“And it’s cheaper than anything.”

Guests at the reception included Dame Judi Dench, Hilary Mantel, Tom Stoppard, William Boyd, Edward Fox and Charles Dance.

In a speech, the Duchess said: “I especially wanted to say a huge thank you to all the writers here this afternoon for sharing their incredible stories with us readers.

“You will never know how many lives you have touched or how much joy, laughter, companionship and comfort you have brought to book lovers around the world, especially during these difficult times.”

Camilla revealed she was amazed by the reading room’s 116,000 followers: “As a complete technophobe and knowing very little about Instagram, I never cease to be amazed at how I’ve gained so many followers.

“On reflection, this means of course thanks to everyone…”

The Duchess made it a family occasion by inviting her daughter, Laura Lopes, son-in-law and three of her grandchildren.

The Prince of Wales also briefly joined the reunion and had a drink after returning from an event.

Wolf Hall author Hilary Mantel said she was “desperately concerned” about access by younger readers to libraries which have faced closure or an uncertain future over the past decade.

She said: “Without my local library I would never have become a writer, I would never have even become a reader.

“I am very concerned about young people’s access to literature.”