Queen Camilla visited Rye, East Sussex, on Thursday to celebrate literature and engage with local organizations. Despite the rain, crowds lined the cobbled streets to welcome her as she arrived at the Church of Saint Mary. Reverend Paul White mentioned Queen Elizabeth I's 1573 visit, which dubbed the town "Royal Rye," and suggested Camilla could revive the title.
At the church, Camilla met members of the Royal Voluntary Service, the Mothers’ Union, and other organizations, receiving flowers from well-wishers. She then walked to Lamb House, historically linked to authors Henry James, Rumer Godden, and E.F. Benson, to view a literature collection.
A garden party was held at Lamb House, featuring readings from E.F. Benson’s works by actors Hayley Mills and Timothy West. TV personality Gyles Brandreth guided Camilla to her seat, describing the gathering as a "tea-time performance."
Earlier, Camilla attended the Charleston Festival’s opening event, "The Power Of Reading." Camilla also humorously updated guests on King Charles’s health amid his cancer treatment, noting he would recover fully if he "behaved himself."