Queen Camilla has explained what “makes life better” during a special celebration at Clarence House on Tuesday evening.

The Queen made a speech to celebrate the results of a literacy study by her charity The Reading Room.

The research found that there is a link between reading more fiction and our brain health and mental well-being.

Camilla attended the event alone as her husband, King Charles, continues his cancer treatment.

The Queen described the health benefits of reading to her guests in front of a staircase at the royal residence.

She said: “In addition to our five a day and 10,000 steps, we should all be aiming for at least five minutes of reading every day for invaluable benefits, for brain health and mental wellbeing.

“Just as we always suspected, books are good for us – and now science is proving us right!”

Camilla has advocated for the benefits of reading for many years and launched her own book club during the Covid lockdown.

Camilla continued: “Thanks to all of you, the Reading Room is doing what it can to spread the word about how literature, quite simply, makes life better.

“Since it began three years ago, it has reached nearly 12 million people through all its platforms, produced more than a thousand pieces of educational literary content and had its inaugural festival at Hampton Court, attended by almost 8,000 people from as far afield as the United States, Canada, Northern Africa, Australia and New Zealand.”

Among those who attended the reception were academics and independent neuroscientists who contributed to the research.

Camilla thanked all those in attendance and who have contributed to the study saying: “This would not have been possible without all of you: your talents, your imagination, your originality, your support and, most of all, your profound love of the written word.”

Authors, actors and literacy advocates who have contributed to The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast and Festival also listened to the Queen’s speech.

The Queen described the study as “an important journey to understand the science behind the power of stories to enrich our lives.”

The charity’s chief executive Vicki Perrin previously described the Queen as “the most well-read person” she ever met, during an interview with The Mirror last year.

She said: “Her Majesty saw the potential for books to make us happier, better connected and as a great way to combat loneliness.

“There’s a special connection that can be forged around stories and talking about them with friends, family and even total strangers.”

The Queen and her husband, Charles have a shared love for books; the King has even featured in the Reading Room by recommending his favourite books.

Camilla previously revealed that the King likes to read Harry Potter books to their grandchildren and “does all the different voices because he is a brilliant mimic.”