Royals
Queen Camilla’s Meeting With JK Rowling Sparks Fury: ‘If Tone Deaf Was a Picture’
Not everyone is applauding the royal family’s latest social media moment.
A photo of Queen Camilla, 78, standing with Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, 60, has sparked backlash online.
The royal family’s official Instagram account shared the image on Tuesday, June 30, with the caption, “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.”
It also added, “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.”
A few fans were supportive. “Thank you, Your Majesty for standing with, JK Rowling. Two strong & REAL women,” wrote one commenter, while another praised Rowling for encouraging “a whole new generation of children to read again.”
But the majority of commenters took issue with the queen’s decision to welcome the author on the final day of Pride Month, given how polarizing the author has become over her outspoken views on transgender issues.
One person wrote, “How disappointing- shocking that the royals would meet with her”
“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,” another user added.
A royal fan wrote, “I am disappointed the royal family is giving a voice to someone with so much hate for children. Actual hate. She is filth.”
Several replies carried the transgender pride flag emoji as a nod of solidarity with the trans community. “This is deplorable! AND during Pride Month no less 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 I stand with the LGBTQI+ community ✊🏼”, another commented.
Another chimed in and wrote, “If tone deaf was a picture – trans rights are human rights! 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️”
Several celebrities, including Harry Potter actors, have since spoken out against her since she published an essay in 2020 outlining her views on sex, gender issues and the trans rights movement.
“I refuse to bow down to a movement that I believe is doing demonstrable harm in seeking to erode ‘woman’ as a political and biological class and offering cover to predators like few before it,” she wrote.
Emma Watson, best known to Harry Potter fans as Hermione Granger, has taken a more measured tone when speaking about Rowling.
In September 2025, Watson appeared on Jay Shetty‘s podcast and revealed that, although she doesn’t support Rowling’s views, she still treasures her.
