**King Charles Tells Author He Has Watched Acclaimed Papal Conclave Film at Buckingham Palace Investiture**
In a memorable encounter at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, acclaimed writer Robert Harris shared that King Charles III revealed he had watched the Oscar-nominated adaptation of Harris’s novel, *Conclave*, which explores the secretive world of papal elections. The occasion marked Harris being awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contributions to literature.
Harris, age 68, was among the distinguished recipients recognised at the palace ceremony. Reflecting on the transformation of his 2016 book into an internationally acclaimed film, Harris described the experience as “eerie” and akin to “an out-of-body experience.” He remarked on the surreal nature of seeing the intricate papal selection process—painstakingly researched for his novel—vividly depicted on the big screen and subsequently mirrored in real life during the Vatican proceedings following the death of Pope Francis earlier this year.
Detailing the significance of the story, Harris commented to the Press Association, “It’s an odd feeling to see conjecture and fiction so closely aligned with real events. The novel required a fair amount of imagination since so little is publicly known about conclave protocols, but I wanted to bring journalistic rigour to the subject.” Harris added that the book and subsequent film inadvertently became a reference point for journalists and the public during the recent Vatican conclave.
In a remarkable instance of art imitating life, Harris noted that not only had Pope Leo, newly elected to the papal office, viewed the film on the eve of the conclave vote, but so too had King Charles. Reports previously confirmed the Pope’s interest, shared by his brother John Prevost in a US media interview, further highlighting the unusual role literature and cinema played in shaping public perceptions during a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church.
During the investiture, Harris said the King “spoke warmly” about his work, noting, “He’s been reading my books for some time, so it was a pleasure to catch up.” The exchange was also tinged with humour, with Harris musing that the ornate halls of Buckingham Palace, particularly the throne room, might serve as inspiration for his future stories. “There’s definitely the makings of a murder mystery in the throne room – it’s ripe with possibilities,” he joked.
On receiving the CBE, Harris called it “a very generous gesture,” admitting he had never anticipated such recognition for his literary career. The author, known for melds of historical detail and speculative twists, continues to influence both the publishing world and broader cultural discourse.
Joining Harris at the ceremony was much-lauded author Dame Jacqueline Wilson, granted the prestigious Dame Grand Cross for her significant service to children’s literature. Wilson, creator of the beloved Tracy Beaker series and with over a hundred novels to her name, described the honour as “overwhelming and a complete surprise.” She reflected that, as a girl, she could never have imagined standing outside Buckingham Palace adorned with medals and a ceremonial sash.
Wilson recounted her interactions with the monarch, recalling, “The King was jovial – we had a good laugh sorting my sash over my rather silly hat.” She expressed gratitude not only to King Charles but also to Queen Camilla, noting the Queen’s deep and genuine interest in children’s reading, which, Wilson said, was a source of encouragement for the writing community.
The ceremony followed Wilson’s recent foray back into adult literature, with her latest novel, *Think Again*, earning a spot among this year’s nominees at the British Book Awards—a testament to her enduring literary prowess.
As the world of British letters gathered under the palace’s gilded ceilings, the ceremony celebrated the ability of literature and film to reach audiences at the highest echelons of society, even in the most unexpected ways. The mutual admiration between authors and the monarchy further underscores the power of storytelling to inform, inspire, and connect across worlds both fictitious and real.