The Queen surprises audience at 'Letters Live' at the Royal Festival Hall
Published 03/09/2026
On Thursday evening, Her Majesty The Queen made a surprise appearance at the Royal Festival Hall in London, reading a historic letter written by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, as part of Letters Live.
Letters Live is a live celebration of the enduring power of literary correspondence. Each show always features a completely different array of great performers, reading remarkable letters written over the centuries and from around the world. Audiences attending Letters Live never know who is going to take to the stage or what letter they are going to bring alive.
The letter read by The Queen, was written by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother following the death of her husband King George VI in 1952. In response to a soothing anthology she had been sent by British poet Edith Sitwell, The Queen Mother’s reply highlights the power of books to provide comfort and peace in difficult moments.
Her Majesty participated in the show alongside other cast members including Jessie Buckley, Simon Callow, Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dame Harriet Walter, Rob Rinder, Sara Pascoe, and more.
As well as celebrating the pain, joy, wisdom and humour expressed in letters, Letters Live is committed to promoting literacy and to fundraising for literacy charities.
The show raised money for the National Literary Trust, which empowers people with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. The Queen has been Patron of the charity since 2010, and is considered an important supporter of literacy in the UK and internationally.
Click here to read more about Her Majesty’s work to champion the power of reading.
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