Camilla with Prince Charles
The Duchess of Cornwall insists nothing beats the "thrill" of reading a good book.
Camilla - the wife of Britain's Prince Charles - has written a short foreword revealing the pleasure she gets from reading in a new storybook of 'Jack and the Beanstalk' which has been released by literacy charity Beanstalk to mark its 40th anniversary.
The book contains 10 different versions of of the classic fairy tale which get progressively more difficult to read.
Writing in the tome, Camilla said: "I believe passionately in encouraging a love of reading in young people of all ages. There is nothing quite like the thrill of opening a book and being transported into another world to meet new people and to discover their stories - it's like making new friends."
Mentors for Beanstalk - previously known as Volunteer Reading Help - will be given a copy of the book to use when they go into schools to help children who are struggling with their reading.
Camilla, 65, also reveals her love of reading was instilled in her by her father, British Army officer Major Bruce Shand, when she was a child.
She added: "I know how vital reading is in fuelling the imagination and boosting the self confidence of children."
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