Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall Shares Sweet Moment with Young Girl Who Practiced Her 'Royal Wave'
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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall enjoyed a solo outing in Wales as she championed one of her biggest royal causes: promoting literacy.
Camilla, who is in Wales this week for a series of outings alongside her husband Prince Charles, stepped out on Wednesday for a visit to Millbrook Primary School in Newport, where she officially opened their new school library.
Upon her arrival at the school, she received a warm welcome from the students — and shared a special moment with a young girl who had been pracicing her royal wave in anticipation of the future Queen Consort's visit.
"That was a very royal wave," Camilla told 5-year-old Callie with a smile.
The Duchess of Cornwall, 74, also got up close and personal with the school's "reading dog." Taliesin, named for a famous Welsh poet, helps the children settle into their reading area.
Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
"Do you like him?" Camilla asked the group of children. "It's absolutely brilliant to meet him. He wants to be your friend."
"Happy reading," Camilla told them as she left the library.
The Australian Kelpie Border Collie Cross helps children who are anxious about reading aloud feel more at ease.
"He also helps if they're finding it hard to concentrate or listen to a story as stroking him can settle them," headteacher Keri Smith tells PEOPLE.
Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
The royal was then taken to a special assembly where "How To Train Your Dragon" author Cressida Cowell was entertaining the children in "Dragonese."
When asked by Cowell what book she likes to return to time and again, Camilla answered: Pride and Prejudice.
Cowell added, "Her Royal Highness really is a booky person."
Camilla, who turns 75 on July 17, also received an early birthday present during her visit: a birthday cake and a rendition of "Happy Birthday" in both Welsh and English. She was also gifted some books for her family.
Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
In honor of her upcoming birthday, it was announced that the Duchess's Birthday Books Project will see 75 elementary schools around the U.K. will receive a set of books that promote well-being.
She was then invited to cut the birthday cake alongside one of the school's students — 11-year-old Lawson.
Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images Camilla's birthday cake
Camilla's literacy campaign, which also includes her online Reading Room book club, is one of Camilla's longest-standing missions. She's been patron of the National Literacy Trust for almost 12 years.
Earlier in the day, Camilla attended a round table discussion, where she heard how one in eight schools don't have a library — and that it's down to one in four in areas with socio-economic challenges.
Headteacher Smith told Camilla that they are also opening up the school's library to the local community.
"If you don't have the books at home, you're not going to get into reading," Camilla said.
Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
Jonathan Douglas, CEO of the National Literacy Trust, tells PEOPLE: "On occasions like this, her authenticity, as a mother and grandmother really comes across. She understands children and families and wants to talk to children about their reading."
Smith adds that her support of the campaign also "encourages parents to take accountability and responsibility in encouraging children to read. Her being here really emphasizes to the community too how important the library is."
Connor Allen, the poet laureate for children in Wales, met Camilla at the event.
"It is important for the people of this area. Newport is such a deprived area, so having something like this is crucial. Not only to a child's development but for the community's development. Books are an escapism and it should be a given right for children should be able to have that experience and go into different worlds. It's essential for their growth," he says.
Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
"She is a real champion of pushing that ethos into the country, into the community. It shouldn't be a luxury, but should be a given right for children to be able to escape and be educated and have fun."
Following Wednesday's visit, Cowell said: "You've seen the magic, you've seen how special it is — this attention to messages that are difficult to get across. She has identified something that is really, really important for children — and adults — in this country, but is difficult to get attention to. It is so important for literacy charities. I'm sensing we are making some kind of progress on the libraries, which is so important. For children for whom they are needed, they are desperately needed."
Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
Before she left, Camilla was also introduced to student helpers who joined the royal protection officers for some experience and helped hold doors open for VIPs and media.
"She thanked us and said that maybe one day we might come and work for her," Alicia, 11, says.
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It has been a significant start to the year for Camilla. In early February, she was recognized by Queen Elizabeth as future Queen Consort, a title she will take when Prince Charles accedes to the throne. And in June, she was formally invested by Queen Elizabeth into the oldest order of chivalry in the U.K.: the Order of the Garter at Windsor Castle.
