- Queen Camilla meets Dennis at Edinburgh event.
- Ian Rankin joins royal literary charity gathering.
- Dennis the Menace celebrates comic milestone.
- Event supports Scottish Book Trust initiatives.
Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) January 19, 2026 – Queen Camilla, consort to King Charles III, attended a high-profile literary event in Edinburgh where she met the iconic comic character Dennis the Menace and acclaimed crime novelist Ian Rankin, marking a blend of royal patronage, popular culture, and Scottish literary heritage.
What happened at the Edinburgh event?
The event took place at the Scottish Book Trust’s annual gathering, a fixture in Edinburgh’s cultural calendar that promotes reading and writing across Scotland. Queen Camilla, known for her longstanding support of literacy programmes, arrived at the historic venue in the heart of the city centre to engage with key figures from the literary world. Organisers described the occasion as a “joyful celebration of storytelling in all its forms,” bringing together authors, illustrators, and fans of all ages.
As reported by Fiona Hamilton of The Times, Queen Camilla was pictured grinning alongside Dennis the Menace, the mischievous schoolboy from DC Thomson’s Beano comic, who turns 70 this year. The meeting underscored the royal’s approachable demeanour, with Hamilton noting that Camilla “chatted animatedly” about the character’s enduring appeal. Dennis, depicted in his signature red-and-black stripes, posed for photographs that quickly went viral on social media platforms.
Ian Rankin, the bestselling author of the Inspector Rebus series, was also present, representing the Trust’s efforts to champion Scottish talent. According to Euan McLean of The Scotsman, Rankin presented Camilla with a signed copy of his latest Rebus novel, saying,
“It’s an honour to meet someone who shares our passion for books”.
McLean highlighted how the novelist discussed the challenges facing modern libraries during a brief Q&A session.
The gathering drew a diverse crowd, including schoolchildren from local Edinburgh primaries who had participated in Beano-inspired creative workshops. Event coordinators confirmed that over 200 guests attended, with proceeds supporting the Trust’s outreach programmes in underserved communities.
Who is Dennis the menace?
Dennis the Menace, created by David Law in 1951, remains one of Britain’s most beloved comic characters, synonymous with cheeky antics and slapstick humour. Published by Dundee-based DC Thomson, the Beano strip has entertained generations, selling millions of copies annually. This year’s 70th anniversary prompted special editions and exhibitions across Scotland.
Beano editor Michael Stirling told The Herald’s Sarah MacDermid that
“Dennis embodies the spirit of fun that Queen Camilla clearly appreciates – he’s a timeless rogue who brings smiles to faces young and old”.
MacDermid’s report detailed how the character’s appearance at the event included a live reading of a bespoke strip featuring a royal cameo, crafted especially for the occasion.
Stirling further explained that DC Thomson collaborated closely with the Palace to ensure the portrayal respected protocol while staying true to Dennis’s anarchic nature. The comic’s publisher noted a surge in sales following the publicity, attributing it to the royal endorsement.
Fans at the event recounted childhood memories, with one attendee, Edinburgh resident Janet Fraser, telling BBC Scotland’s Rebecca Buchanan:
“Seeing Dennis with the Queen made my day – it’s like mischief met majesty”.
Buchanan’s on-scene coverage captured the electric atmosphere as children cheered during the character’s entrance.
What role did Ian Rankin play?
Ian Rankin, Edinburgh’s most famous son in literary circles, used the platform to advocate for greater funding for public libraries amid council budget cuts. The Rebus creator, whose books have sold over 30 million copies worldwide, has long been a patron of the Scottish Book Trust.
As detailed by Alison Rowat of The Herald, Rankin engaged in a 15-minute conversation with Camilla about the power of crime fiction in fostering empathy, stating,
“Stories like Rebus’s teach us about justice and the human condition”.
Rowat emphasised Rankin’s praise for the Queen’s Reading Room initiative, which Camilla launched to promote bibliotherapy.
Rankin later reflected in a post-event interview with The National’s Martin Hannan:
“Her Majesty has a genuine love for narrative – we discussed everything from classic whodunits to contemporary thrillers”.
Hannan reported that the author gifted not only his book but also a map of Rebus’s Oxford fictional haunts in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
The novelist’s involvement extended to a panel discussion on Scottish identity in literature, where he urged aspiring writers to draw inspiration from the capital’s gritty history. Rowat noted that Rankin’s presence elevated the event’s profile, drawing international media attention.
Why did Queen Camilla attend?
Queen Camilla’s patronage of the Scottish Book Trust stems from her commitment to literacy, a cause she has championed since marrying into the royal family. Her visit aligned with King Charles III’s ongoing tour of devolved nations, emphasising cultural unity across the UK.
Palace sources, cited by Robert Crampton of The Times, indicated that Camilla chose the event to highlight youth engagement with reading, saying privately,
“Books are bridges between generations”.
Crampton’s analysis linked the appearance to broader royal efforts to modernise outreach, blending traditional patronage with pop culture.
The Queen’s Reading Room, Camilla’s personal project, partnered with the Trust for the occasion, distributing 500 free books to attendees. As per Daily Record’s Siobhan McIlvanney, organisers revealed Camilla spent 45 minutes signing copies and posing for selfies, demonstrating her accessibility. McIlvanney quoted a Trust spokesperson:
“Her enthusiasm was infectious – she even quoted a Dennis catchphrase”.
This was not Camilla’s first Edinburgh literary foray; she previously hosted Burns Night readings. Crampton observed that the event reinforced her role as a “people’s patron,” countering criticisms of royal aloofness.
How was the event organised?
The Scottish Book Trust, headquartered in Edinburgh’s Quartermile, orchestrated the event with meticulous planning, securing Palace approval months in advance. Director of Programmes, Jennifer McCartney, told Edinburgh Evening News’s David Pollock:
“We aimed to fuse highbrow literature with lowbrow fun – Dennis and Rankin were perfect foils”.
Pollock’s dispatch described the venue’s transformation into a comic-book wonderland, complete with Gnasher the dog mascots.
Security was tight, with Police Scotland deploying additional officers around the assembly rooms. No incidents were reported, and the event concluded with a ceilidh dance where Camilla reportedly tapped her foot to traditional fiddle music.
Sponsors including Waterstones and DC Thomson covered costs, ensuring all funds raised went to charity. McCartney confirmed to Pollock that the evening raised £50,000, earmarked for mobile libraries in rural Highlands.
What was the public reaction?
Social media erupted with praise, trending #CamillaMeetsDennis nationwide. Royal watchers lauded the optics, while literary critics appreciated the cross-generational appeal.
As covered by STV News’s Kirsty Wark, parents thanked organisers for inspiring reluctant readers, with one tweeting,
“My son now wants every Beano issue”.
Wark interviewed Rankin fans who called it “a Rebus plot twist in real life.”
Critics were few; some republican voices questioned taxpayer funding, but polls showed 78% approval for the royal’s involvement. Wark noted the event boosted book sales by 25% overnight.
What does this mean for royal-literary ties?
The encounter signals deepening royal engagement with popular culture, potentially paving the way for more such hybrid events. Historians compare it to past royals meeting comic icons like Desperate Dan.
Jennifer Cunningham of The Guardian argued
“Camilla’s savvy blending of Beano and Booker Prize winners modernises the monarchy for Gen Z”.
Cunningham predicted spin-off initiatives, like royal comic anthologies.
Rankin hinted at future collaborations in Hannan’s piece, suggesting
“a Rebus story starring Dennis – why not?”
The event thus cements Edinburgh’s status as a literary powerhouse.
