We hosted a special event on 4 February, attended by our Patron, Her Majesty the Queen. The dinner celebrated The London Library as one of the UK’s greatest literary institutions, highlighting its charitable work to support writers and widen access to its extensive resources.

Held in the Library’s atmospheric Reading Room, esteemed guests and Library supporters including Sir Tim Rice, Alexandra Shulman, Lady Antonia Fraser, John O’Farrell and Dame Caroline Michel were given an introduction by President of The London Library Helena Bonham Carter CBE. There was a speech from Sir Stephen Fry, and London Library Chair Simon Godwin introduced an alumnus of the Library’s Emerging Writer’s Programme, Katie Buckley, whose recent novel, Hero, was published by Hachette UK in January. Writer and London Library member, Christopher Simon Sykes also performed a song about the Library, written especially for the evening.

As Patron of The London Library, Her Majesty The Queen has supported the institution since 2012, within her current role and previously as Vice-Patron. A passionate champion of literacy in the UK and internationally, Her Majesty The Queen encourages a love of reading and writing from an early age. Her charity and book club The Queen’s Reading Room, works to advance education by providing opportunities for the appreciation of literature among adults and children in the UK and around the world.

London Library President, Helena Bonham Carter said, "I have the honour of being the President of The London Library. It is very easy to be astonished by the atmosphere of this place, we have 17 miles of books here, which is the equivalent of the underground Circle line. Thank you for becoming our Royal Patron and continuing the long line of Royal Patrons that the Library has been fortunate to have.”

Sir Stephen Fry said: "Thank you for your patronage, your support not just of The London Library, but of your support for books and writing everywhere. Just like The Queen’s Reading Room, this Library is open and welcoming to all. Here we are all equal citizens of the great kingdom of letters, the realm of reading, and here the highest possible doctrine is held for the value of books, the value of collections, the value of a sanctuary… where anybody who loves books is made to feel at home."

London Library Emerging Writer's Programme Alumnus, Katie Buckley said: “EWP (as it’s affectionately called) is a lifechanging programme. Generosity is what underpins the thing that all new writers need – someone who will listen. A chain reaction of people holding out their hand and pulling you upwards... It has been the honour of my life to have begun my beginnings here and for that, I will be forever grateful.”

London Library Director, Philip Marshall said, “We were delighted to host a wonderful evening to celebrate The London Library as the home of literary inspiration. We are tremendously grateful to our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, for her continued support as we aim to engage, inform and inspire many more readers and writers with our incredible resources.”

Photo: Dale Weeks