The Queen encouraged children in Islington to “keep reading” as she opened a new primary school library.

Camilla opened the library at Moreland Primary School in Clerkenwell yesterday (May 7).

The library’s opening is part of the Coronation Libraries Project, which has so far revitalised libraries in 50 primary schools across the UK.

It aims to help communities facing low literacy rates, significant economic challenges and a lack of access to books both at home and in school, especially for children.

Camilla told excited children at Moreland: “The more you’re going to learn the more you’re going to get on in life.

“It’s so important to keep reading.”

She added: “You’re really lucky to have such a beautiful library and I hope you’re going to enjoy reading all the books, because the more books you read the more you’re going to learn.”

The new library has been stocked with 300 brand new books.

These include the Chase Coronation Collection, which features the top 23 children’s books as selected by UK primary school children in honour of last year’s coronation of King Charles.

During yesterday’s visit, the Queen joined children in the school’s assembly hall to listen to stories told by British-Sierra Leonean rapper and storyteller Alim Kamara.

In the library, Camilla and pupil ambassadors heard a recital of the poem One Thousand Libraries by Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho.

Camilla also joined a round table discussion chaired by Bloomberg News anchor Tom Mackenzie.

Bloomberg supported 25 of the 50 libraries as part of the Coronation Libraries Project.

Moreland Primary School’s library marks the significant milestone of being the 1,000th transformed through the Libraries for Primaries campaign.

Launched in 2021 by the National Literacy Trust and Penguin Books, the campaign unites charities, publishers, and businesses to tackle the lack of investment in primary school libraries.

Catherine Lawrence, headteacher at Moreland Primary School, said: “We were honoured to receive Her Majesty Queen Camilla today to open our fantastic new library space and hear first-hand from pupils about their passion for reading.”

She added: “Access to books at home is limited for many of our children; this new library gives families the opportunity to share the joy of books together, regardless of their background or circumstance.”

Reporting by PA.