The Queen's Introduction to Queen Mary's Dolls' House's Modern-Day Miniature Library

One century ago, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House was completed after three years’ work by over 1,500 of the finest craftsmen of the day. “It is built”, wrote AC Benson in The Book of The Queen’s Dolls’ House, “to outlast us all”.

The House has indeed outlasted its creators. In so doing, it has continued to enchant generations of children and adults who come to marvel at its perfect proportions, extraordinary attention to detail and, perhaps above all, the artistic genius apparent in every room.

For me, it is the library that is the most breath-taking space in the house. It was curated by Princess Marie Louise and her friend, the author EV Lucas, who invited 200 renowned writers to contribute pieces of writing, providing an unrivalled snapshot of literature in the 1920s.

I am delighted and grateful that, thanks to the kindness of some of today’s brilliant authors and binders, we are now able to add a snapshot of literature in the 2020s to the Dolls’ House library.

These new books highlight the incredible richness of twenty-first century literary talent – and demonstrate how fortunate we are to have access to so many outstanding writers, whose work brings joy, comfort, laughter, companionship and hope to us all, opening our eyes to others’ experiences and reminding us that we are not alone.

I should like to thank everyone who has been involved in this wonderful initiative to create a new set of tiny library books - books that will, like their predecessors, outlast us all.