Queen Camilla has leading role in her favourite author's latest murder mystery
Both Queen Camilla and King Charles are featured in the new royal whodunnit, written by Peter James, whom Her Majesty has openly named as her favourite crime author
Queen Camilla is to star in her favourite author's latest murder mystery - and has even helped with the plot.
Her Majesty, 77, has a central role in The Hawk Is Dead: A Killer In The Palace, which sees a detective investigate a murder at Buckingham Palace. Camilla has openly named the author, Peter James, as her top crime writer and forged a friendship with him in the past 10 years.
It is said Camilla is "thrilled" to have a leading role in the book, due for release in October, written some time after the Queen Consort had suggested her friend set his legendary Brighton-based detective's latest case in London. His books have been made into an ITV drama series Grace, staring John Simm as the eponymous detective superintendent.
"Fortunately, no one is likely to be more thrilled to find themselves taking a leading role in their own royal whodunnit than Her Majesty," writes Daily Mail's royal editor, Rebecca English, in today's publication.
King Charles also features in the book, which tells the tale of a detective exploring what they believe to be a assassination attempt at Buckingham Palace. Publishers Pan Macmillan said: "Opening with a cinematic derailment of the Royal Train, The Hawk Is Dead takes Roy Grace deep into the heart of Buckingham Palace, where he is called upon to solve a murder and what looks to be a royal assassination attempt."
"Queen Camilla, a well-known book lover and reading champion through her charity The Queen's Reading Room, has always been one of the first people to receive each Grace novel and is excited to have a starring role, alongside King Charles, in Peter's latest thriller."
Her Majesty has already had a sneak peakat the novel, it is understood. Peter, 76 and who has several Sunday Times No 1 bestsellers to his name, was "moved to tears" by Camilla's recent nomination of Grace as her favourite detective.
Speaking in a recent interview, Peter, who was raised in East Sussex, said: "I came up with an idea, which I ran by Her Majesty and she loved it. Throughout writing, during which I've done extensive behind-the-scenes research at the Palace, I have received invaluable insights from the Royal Household, including Her Majesty."
The pair have developed a firm but unlikely friendship and, in 2021, Her Majesty visited the set of Grace, the fifth series of which has just aired on ITV. A sixth series of the drama is already in production.
Insiders told the Daily Mail "any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental" when asked about Peter's new book. Buckingham Palace declined to comment to the publication.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
7 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Hilaria Baldwin breaks silence on rumors that she 'controls' husband Alec
Hilaria Baldwin has clapped back at haters who claim the she is controlling husband Alec Baldwin - jokingly saying she 'wishes' she could. The 41-year-old shocked fans in March when she snapped at her husband on the red carpet, sparking a fierce debate online about their relationship dynamic. However, the mother-of-seven has now cleared up the internet rumors, exclusively telling that as a woman, no matter what she does it is always going to be 'wrong.' 'Couldn't they have picked a different couple with a husband that's easier to control?' Hilaria told in a street interview. She claimed that for years, much of the focus has been on her husband's alleged temper, whereas now she feels critics have switched to branding her as controlling. 'The headlines over the years, and all of this stuff where people have poked on him, and then all of a sudden, I have this power,' she said. 'It kind of makes me feel like... am I winning? Is this a compliment?' she asked. She added that she feels as through the narrative 'flipped' because the rumor mill needed 'something new.' Hilaria continued: 'I also think, going in to what it is like being a woman, they pick at us. [No] matter what we're gonna do it wrong.' She also suggested people are confusing her being a supportive wife as her being controlling. 'If we're supportive, we're controlling. If we're not, we're cold,' she ranted. 'You can't win.' The reality star quickly brushed it off, saying she just 'has to ignore it.' 'I wish I could control things more,' Hilaria admitted. The couple were talking to Extra at the grand re-opening of Planet Hollywood in NYC last week alongside her actor husband, 66, when conversation turned to a potential second series of their reality TV show. As Hilaria went to respond, Alec jumped in with: 'The Hilaria Show.' She then added: 'No, I think we are going to see, you know, we're going to see how it feels to be out there.' The 30 Rock star then cut in to say: 'It's gonna be great. You're a winner.' They later mocked the response to the interview in an Instagram post in which Hilaria accused her husband of 'manterrupting' as he apologized for his behavior before puckering up for a kiss Seemingly furious at his interjection, she snapped: 'Oh my God. When I'm talking, you're not talking.' 'I'm sorry,' Alec said as Hilaria threw her hands up and repeated: 'When I'm talking, you're not talking.' She turned back to face the interviewer and joked: 'This is why we'll just have to cut him out of the show.' The cringeworthy confrontation sparked a fierce debate online, with some branding it a 'very uncomfortable dynamic.' Hilaria appeared on Today after the incident, where she seemingly doubled down on her remarks, expressing her frustration at not being able to voice her thoughts. Discussing why the Baldwins opened up their home for a new reality series, she explained: 'Since I met Alec a lot of people have spoken for me, have taken my narrative. I don't want that anymore. 'This is an example for my children to hold your head up high and take control of your own narrative and we did it during a very vulnerable time.' While many people online declared it the beginning of a relationship fail, 'fireworks' are the norm, according to sources close to the fiery couple who dismissed the humiliating interaction as nothing more than 'banter.' 'That was a true reflection of their relationship,' an insider told Daily Mail. 'They test each other. It may have looked concerning to some, but it was all playful banter. 'There is no harm. They both have strong personalities and that's why they're attracted to one another. 'Alec finds Hilaria captivating and he loves that she can take his humor because Alec is never reserved in anything he does and vice versa.' They later mocked the response to the interview in an Instagram post in which Hilaria accused her husband of 'manterrupting' as he apologized for his behavior. Alec admitted in the clip that he suffers from 'correctile dysfunction.' The video saw them engaging in a patronizing back-and-forth, with the yoga teacher–turned–reality star cuing up her husband's responses. 'And that is called — what's the word of the day?' Hilaria began after the audio had ended, setting Alec up to wearily reply: 'Manterrupting.' 'So, the whole point is that we interrupt each other all the time,' Hilaria finished as they concluded the video with a kiss.
Daily Mirror
18 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Emmerdale star's real-life brother sobs as they go head to head for award
It was an emotional night at the British Soap Awards as Amelia Flanagan and her brother broke down in tears during the Best Young Performer Award Emmerdale star Amelia Flanagan was seen in tears when she accepted the award for Best Young Performer at the British Soap Awards 2025. The 16-year-old, who plays April Windsor in the ITV soap won the award for her portrayal of the character, who is the half-sister of Leo Goskirk and daughter of police officer Donna Windsor and chef Marlon Dingle. However, Emmerdale star Amelia wasn't the only member of her family to be nominated for the award. Her brother, William Flanagan was also nominated for his portrayal of Joseph Winter-Brown on Coronation Street. There was no sibling rivalry between the two however, as they engaged in an adorable moment as Amelia accepted her award. In an emotional moment, Amelia sobbed as she took to the stage, paying tribute to her brother in her speech. The star and her brother broke down in tears as her name was announced, with William giving his older sister a standing ovation. Starting her speech, Amelia, 16, paid tribute to her brother. "This means everything. I just want to say, my little brother," as the audience erupted into cheers. "Who I love so much," she continued. Amelia went on to thank everyone at Emmerdale, before concluding with tears in her eyes: "Thank you so much, this means the world to me." Amelia's win came after she took centre stage in a harrowing storyline earlier this year when she ran away from home after falling pregnant. April sadly suffered the loss of her baby daughter in a stillbirth, and has since been struggling to adjust to life back in the village. Over in the cobbles, William's nomination came after a difficult time for Joseph. Last year, the character fell ill, and most recently, we've seen the character left guilt-stricken, after he pranked the emergency services. The family affair doesn't stop there, as William and Amelia's sister Isabella Flanagan is also a soap star, starring as Hope Stape alongside Joseph in Coronation Street. In the soap, Joseph and Hope's prank meant the ambulance could not get to injured Mason Radcliffe in time after a stabbing. Mason later died from his injuries, and Joseph was horrified and tried to report himself to the police. Amelia and William were nominated in the category alongside EastEnders star Sonny Kendall who plays Tommy Moon, and Hollyoaks star Noah Holdsworth who plays Oscar Osborne.
Scottish Sun
28 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Furious ITVX viewers slam channel as service crashes stopping them watching British Soap Awards
OFF AIR Furious ITVX viewers slam channel as service crashes stopping them watching British Soap Awards ITV viewers have slammed the channel as the service crashed - stopping them watching The British Soap Awards 2025. Soap fans were tuning into watch the awards ceremony, which was meant to start at 8pm. Advertisement 5 ITV viewers were met with this message as they tuned into watch The British Soap Awards 5 The programme was meant to start at 8pm - but was delayed by minutes Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 EastEnders picked up Best Soap thanks to Anita Dobson's return as Angie Credit: Shutterstock Editorial But the programme was delayed by a few minutes with just a message from the broadcaster and a black screen. The message read: "We're sorry for the disruption." Fans were quick to take to social media with their complaints. One wrote: "What the hell is going on ? Will it ever come on?" Advertisement A second said: "Oh dear looks like we got major problems on ITV1." A third commented: "Well, I guess I am not watching The Soap Awards on ITVX. What's going on?" Despite the delay, the ceremony, which was filmed earlier this week, kicked off with Jane McDonald hosting for a second year. It comes after Coronation Street were brutally snubbed at the awards as they failed to pick up any of the previously announced awards at this year's ceremony. Advertisement The annual soap event made a return this year after ITV mysteriously axed the contest in 2024. Coronation Street and Emmerdale humiliated at British Soap Awards as rival soap wins EIGHT gongs But it was bad news for Coronation Street as the programme suffered a devastating loss after managing to bag just the specially curated Outstanding Achievement Award which went to Roy Cropper star David Neilson. The show failed to secure wins in any of the main panel or viewer-voted categories amid ITV's ongoing cash crisis and the mass cast exodus at the soap over the past six months. Its ITV counterpart Emmerdale also faced a crushing blow ahead of the impending ITV schedule changes which will see 30 minutes worth of each programme cut a week from January 2026. Advertisement BBC rival EastEnders swept the board after collecting a total of eight gongs in its 40th anniversary year - more than double its nearest rival, Channel 4's Hollyoaks who got three awards. EastEnders was awarded Best Soap after its huge live episode and anniversary week which saw Anita Dobson return as Angie Watts and Martin Fowler killed off in the arms of his love, Stacey. It was certainly not the only award that they picked up with actress Lacey Turner receiving the trophy for Best Leading Performer ahead of her impending exit from the show. The 40th anniversary also managed to clutch the Scene of the Year thanks to Angie's shock return. Advertisement Steve McFadden a won a trophy for Best Dramatic Performance as Phil Mitchell but did not attend the ceremony with Angela Wynter and Rudolph Walker also receiving prizes as Patrick and Yolande - beating Corrie fan favourites Lisa Swain and Carla Connor, affectionately known as Swarla, to the Best On-Screen Partnership award. The Walford based soap also collected the Comedy Performance gongs and Villain of the Year. In a major blow to Coronation Street, only David Neilson picked up the Outstanding Achievement Award as Roy Cropper which was presented to him by by his on-screen wife Julie Hesmondhalgh. British Soap Awards 2025: Winners List Here's who took home trophys at the 2025 British Soap Awards Best Single Episode - Eastenders: Phil's Psychosis: The Mitchells In 1985 Best Young Performer - Emmerdale - Amelia Flanagan as April Windsor Scene Of The Year - Eastenders: Angie Watts' Shock Return Best Newcomer - Hollyoaks: Isabelle Smith as Frankie Osborne Villain Of The Year - Eastenders: Navin Chowdhry as Nish Panesar Best Family - Hollyoaks: The Osbornes Best Dramatic Performance - Eastenders: Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell Best On-Screen Partnership - Eastenders: Rudolph Walker & Angela Wynter as Patrick & Yolande Trueman Outstanding Achievement Award - Coronation Street: David Neilson Best Comedy Performance - Eastenders: Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson The Tony Warren Award - Emmerdale: Mike Plant Best Storyline - Hollyoaks: Sibling Sexual Abuse Best Leading Performer - Eastenders: Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater Best British Soap - Eastenders Hollyoaks managed to win three awards with Isabelle Smith winning as Best Newcomer with The Osbourne family taking home Best Family and the sibling sexual abuse storyline being named Best Storyline. Advertisement Emmerdale managed just two awards with Amelia Flanagan beating her Corrie star brother Will to the Best Young Performer prize. Mike Plant, one of the show's camera operators, picked up the prestigious off-screen Tony Warren Award accolade for his contributions to the soap behind the scenes. ITV's crushing defeats come amid a period of unrest backstage at the shows. Both Corrie and Emmerdale have lost a number of stars over the past 12 months amid cuts at the channel. Advertisement In particular, Coronation Street has faced increasing criticism of its far-fetched storylines and dwindling viewer interest in many of its plots. 5 Patsy Palmer was awarded Best Comedy Performance for her role as Bianca Jackson Credit: Getty
