Queen Camilla sparked outrage after posting a photo with JK Rowling on Instagram, given the timing and the author’s controversial transgender views.
On Tuesday, Charles III’s wife posted a photo on Instagram of herself and the Harry Potter author posing together at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland.
Camilla, 78, wore an all-blue outfit and stood alongside Rowling, 60, who wore a white blazer over a navy blue blouse and pants. The Queen said the two had a “shared passion for books” and a “deep dedication” to children reading for pleasure.
The caption reads in part: “His Majesty and Ms Rowling discussed the importance of ensuring young people have access to books and the important role reading plays in opening doors for future generations.”
Critics took to the comments section to criticize Camila for posting a photo of herself and Rowling during Pride Month, an annual June celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community, given Rowling’s public anti-trans views.
“As a fan of the Queen and her Reading Room, I am extremely disappointed that she would give JKR a platform in any month, especially Pride Month,” one person wrote. “There are many other remarkable people who are championing reading to children and young people.”
Another user commented: “It’s a statement during Pride Month.”
“Transgender rights are human rights 🏳️⚧️❤️,” another wrote.
One Instagram user even called the royal family “deplorable.”
“And during Pride Month as well 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 I stand with the LGBTQI+ community ✊🏼,” the user continued.
However, some defended Rowling, pointing out that she was entitled to her opinion.
“It’s a clear double standard when people with big platforms are praised for saying things they agree with, while people who express different opinions are criticized and attacked,” one person argued in the comments section. “Such contradictions seem biased.”
In October 2023, Rowling shared a photo on social media that read, “Follow us and repeat: Trans women are women,” along with the caption, “No.” She said she would be willing to go to jail for her opinion.
Rowling wrote, “If the alternative is to force speech and force denial of the reality and importance of sex, I will happily do it for two years.”
The author continues to speak out about transgender rights, sparking a rift with major Harry Potter stars like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who have publicly condemned her views.
Last May, Rowling hit back with a scathing essay after several Harry Potter actors signed an open letter in support of transgender people after Britain’s Supreme Court ruled that the terms “woman” and “sex” strictly refer to biological women and biological sex.
She described the actors, including Eddie Redmayne, Papa Essiedu and Katie Leung, as “colleagues who stab you in the back” and said they were “motivated by fear”.
Actor John Lithgow, who plays Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone reboot, admitted in April that he had been urged to leave the show due to Rowling’s controversial views, but ultimately decided not to do so.
“I don’t agree with a lot of it. I think a lot of it has been twisted and worded and she kind of doubled down on it at her own expense,” he told The New Yorker Radio Hour.
“I felt there was a much stronger reason to do so than to protest against Rowling’s actions or statements.”
