Queen Camilla examines Queen Mary's dollhouse ahead of the reception to celebrate the miniature library created to mark her 100th anniversary

The Queen appeared in good spirits as she prepared to host a reception for authors, illustrators and binders involved in a new miniature library collection displayed next to Queen Mary's dollhouse – in celebration of the centenary.

Camilla, 76, is hosting the event at Windsor Castle, which commemorates one of the largest and most famous dollhouses in the world, built for the wife of King George V in the 1920s.

The King's wife, who will be greeted by the curators of the Royal Collection Trust, will enjoy a short tour of the house before seeing the twenty works created to celebrate the 100th anniversary.

These include beautiful miniature manuscripts, painstakingly written and decorated by hand.

They were bound by leading designer bookbinders – 'as ​​part of the anniversary initiative to create a modern miniature library, providing a snapshot of contemporary literature in Britain'.

Camilla will mingle with the artists in the Waterloo Chamber, where she will also see a close-up view of the works on display.

Director of the Royal Collection, Mr Tim Knox, will conclude the event with a speech before presenting Her Majesty with her own miniature book – which will feature her own contribution, a handwritten introduction to the project.

In her heartwarming message, she said: 'I am delighted and grateful that, thanks to the kindness of some of today's brilliant authors and binders, we can now add a snapshot of literature in the 2020s to the Dolls' House library.

“These new books highlight the incredible wealth of 21st century literary talent – ​​and show how fortunate we are to have access to so many outstanding writers, whose work brings us all joy, comfort, laughter, camaraderie and hope and opens our eyes. on the experiences of others and reminds us that we are not alone.'

Camilla was effortlessly elegant in a monochrome ensemble, including an embroidered navy blue blazer with white detailing and a matching skirt.

She wore a pair of simple black boots and styled her tresses in a signature style.

Queen Mary's dollhouse was built between 1921 and 1924 as a gift to the wife of King George V after the First World War.

Now visitors to Windsor Castle – where the house has been on display since 1925 – can see a range of objects commonly found inside.

The perfect 1:12 scale replica features a fully stocked wine cellar, small crown jewels with real diamonds and rubies and a grand piano with functioning keys.

The model of an Edwardian home also features electricity, working lifts and running water, and features a library full of miniature books specially written by authors including Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The dollhouse was built with contributions from 1,500 of the best artists, craftsmen and manufacturers of the time.

The house is on display in Windsor Castle's majestic Waterloo Chamber.

Items from the small house's kitchens and servants' quarters include a vacuum cleaner, which was a relatively new innovation in the 1920s.

There's also an attendant's sewing machine, complete with thread and tiny scissors that can actually cut.

A copper cauldron made from a coin has the head of George V on the base.

It comes as Queen Camilla chose a racy novel in which the royal family was held hostage to kick-start her book club earlier this month.

The 76-year-old has delved into her literary favorites in a new podcast series: The Queen's Reading Room.

And she's made quite a surprising choice with the first novel to appear in her book club this year: The Lords' Day by English author Lord Michael Dobbs.

The thriller explores themes of love and devotion after the country's most powerful people, including the Queen and Prime Minister, are taken hostage during the State Opening of Parliament – ​​an event Camilla witnesses first-hand.

In conversation with The TelegraphLord Dobbs, known for writing House of Cards, revealed he sent the novel to the royals on a whim, and in an 'unexpected' but 'wonderful' twist it was announced in the Queen's book club line-up weeks later .

In 2007, The Lord's Day caused a stir for exposing lapses in parliamentary security, leading to Dobbs being accused of lending ideas to terrorist organisations.

Fast forward some 16 years, and The Queen has recognized the book alongside national favorites by the likes of Charles Dickens, Jane Austen and Ian McEwan.

Dobbs revealed that he had sent a copy of his book to King and Queen through his publisher. “I thought it would be kind of fun,” he said.

And the result was remarkable.

Speaking about Camilla's decision, Dobbs said: 'I think it shows how inclusive and open-minded she is. This is not a fussy traditionalist; this is a queen who has her eyes open to the modern world.'

Her Majesty is a bookworm who has used her royal role to promote reading and help improve national literacy.

Her Instagram book club, which has 167,000 followers, was set up after she shared some of her lockdown reading favorites during the pandemic.

It has since become a charity and launched its own annual literary festival at Hampton Court Palace, which will be held again next year on June 8.