The Queen hosts a reception for winners of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition

At a reception at St James’s Palace, The Queen celebrated the winners of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025, the world’s oldest writing competition for schools, delivered by the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) since 1883. 

For 2025, the competition theme was ‘Our Commonwealth Journey’, which invited young writers to explore the diverse geographical, historical, and personal journeys that connect and shape the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth. 

Addressing guests, The Queen said:

As our Commonwealth continues on its remarkable journey, I am certain that each one of our brilliant finalists has an exciting future ahead of you, using your literary skills to express your concerns and ambitions, to make the unknown accessible and to fill us with hope for the days to come.

Following Her Majesty's speech, extracts from the winning pieces were read by Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Monica Galletti, Joan Armatrading, and Royal Commonwealth Society Ambassador, Geri Halliwell. 

For more than a decade, The Queen has hosted the annual award ceremony for winners and runners-up of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition. 

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025 achieved record-breaking success, receiving 53,434 entries; a 53% increase from last year’s total. Entries came from 54 of the 56 Commonwealth countries, with notable participation from Ghana, Nigeria, Malaysia, the Maldives, Bangladesh, the UK, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Singapore.