Queen Camilla reveals what she 'hates' during London bookshop visit: 'I just can't do that!'

Queen Camilla revealed what genre of book she "hates" during an engagement in Mayfair this afternoon.

The Queen marked a significant milestone for one of London's most cherished independent bookshops on Tuesday, visiting Heywood Hill as the establishment celebrated 90 years in business.

Camilla, who patron of numerous literary organisations, took part in the shop's renowned reading consultation service during her visit.

The bespoke service invites customers to discuss their reading preferences, enabling staff to curate a personalised year-long book subscription.

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Deputy manager Harriet Bibby guided Her Majesty through the consultation, asking the Queen to identify her most treasured literary works.

Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazalet Chronicles topped the Queen's list, which she described as her "absolute favourite", followed by Alexandre Dumas's classic The Count of Monte Cristo.

"Goodness me, there are so many after that. I'm thinking of them all, but they all seem to come up at the same time," she remarked.

Her Majesty also expressed admiration for Amor Towles's A Gentleman in Moscow, calling it "just wonderful", alongside works by William Boyd and Anthony Horowitz.

The Queen estimated her reading habits comprise roughly 80 per cent fiction and 20 per cent non-fiction.

When asked about genres she avoids, Camilla responded without hesitation: "I hate sci-fi."

Pronouncing it "sky-fi", she added with a laugh: "That, I'm afraid, is not my favourite. I'm sure a lot of people love it, but, um... No science fiction. No, I can't do that, you have to have some things you love and some things you really don't love, and that really is one I don't love."

One fortunate customer will receive their purchase wrapped by royal hands, as the Queen assisted the shop's two full-time packers.

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Her Majesty was listed on the staff rota as "CR" with a crown symbol, displayed on the packing room door.

She carefully folded brown paper around The Renoir Girls by Catherine Ostler before finishing with a blue ribbon bow.

Following her tour of the shop's four rooms, Camilla unveiled a plaque designating one space the "Queen's Room".

The visit held particular personal resonance for the Queen, whose late father Major Bruce Shand was himself a Heywood Hill customer.

Major Shand, who penned military history and published his war memoirs, passed his passion for literature to his daughter.

Chief executive Nicky Dunne enquired whether Camilla had visited the shop as a child, to which she replied: "I'm sure I did come here when I was much, much smaller."

Departing with Mr Dunne, the Queen crossed to Shepherd Market, where she met and conversed with local business owners and traders.

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