Royal Family faces backlash from critics after Queen Camilla hosts J.K. Rowling
Queen Camilla faced a backlash on Tuesday after she posted a photo of herself with "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling.
"With a shared passion for books and a deep commitment to children reading for pleasure, The Queen and author J.K. Rowling have met at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh," the caption on the royal family’s Instagram page said. "Her Majesty and Ms Rowling discussed the importance of ensuring that young people have access to books and the vital part reading plays in opening doors for future generations."
One critic wrote in the comments: "As an admirer of the Queen and her Reading Room I’m deeply disappointed in her giving a platform to JKR, any month but especially during Pride Month. There are many other admirable individuals to spotlight who champion reading for children and young people."
Rowling has put herself at odds with the transgender community in the past for comments she made about trans women not being women.
In 2023, she captioned a photo on social media that said "Repeat after us: Trans women are women" with "No" and said she would "happily do two years — [behind bars] if the alternative is compelled speech and forced denial of the reality and importance of sex."
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This came after fans encouraged her to vote for the Labour Party, which was reportedly at the time considering making attacks on gender identity a criminal offense.
In a 2020 essay, Rowling wrote: "So I want trans women to be safe. At the same time, I do not want to make natal girls and women less safe."
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After explaining that she was a victim of sexual assault, she added, "When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he’s a woman...then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside."
Another person commented on Tuesday: "During pride month, is a statement" and a third wrote: "Trans rights are human rights!"
"Not during gay pride month," another commenter wrote. "If tone deaf was a picture," someone else quipped, and another called it "deplorable."
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Others posted trans pride flags in the comments and: "protest trans youth."
Still, the billionaire author had plenty of support in the comments.
"J.K. Rowling is just as entitled to her opinion as anyone else," someone said, and other fans called the photo: "Beautiful," "Two remarkable and inspiring women," and another said that Rowling deserved a DBE, the female version of a knighthood.
"She encouraged a whole new generation of children to read again, and she is such a supporter of women’s rights," the person wrote.
Rowling previously revealed to fans she turned that honor down because she didn't want a title.
Another fan added, "Rowling has done so much good for the UK and world. Few could ever dream of having that impact."
Rowling has also been criticized in the past by some of the actors from the "Harry Potter" movie franchise, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, although Watson said she still treasures the time she spent with Rowling.