Queen Camilla Presents Medals to Young Writers at Windsor Castle During BBC 500 Words Final

 A celebration of imagination and storytelling unfolded at Windsor Castle as Queen Camilla hosted the final ceremony for the BBC’s renowned 500 Words creative writing competition.

The annual event, which encourages children across the United Kingdom to develop their storytelling skills, brought together dozens of young finalists whose imaginative stories captured the attention of judges and readers alike. The special ceremony was filmed earlier in February and later broadcast as part of a BBC program celebrating the competition and its winners.

Earlier on February 25, 2026, Queen Camilla welcomed around 50 finalists to Windsor Castle for a reception ahead of the televised awards presentation. The gathering included young writers from across the country, along with judges, celebrity readers, and guests who came together to celebrate the creativity displayed in the competition.

During the ceremony, Her Majesty personally presented medals to six winning children across two age categories: five to seven years old and eight to eleven years old. Gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded in each group, recognizing the stories that stood out for their imagination, originality, and storytelling skill.

The Queen took time to meet the winners individually as their stories were celebrated in front of fellow finalists and guests attending the event. The atmosphere inside Windsor Castle reflected the excitement and pride shared by the children and their families as the finalists saw their work recognized on a national platform.

In her speech to the audience, Queen Camilla emphasized the importance of encouraging children to read and write, particularly in a world increasingly shaped by digital technology.

She spoke about how storytelling allows young people to explore their imagination and express their ideas creatively. According to the Queen, books and stories remain powerful tools that can transport readers to new places and inspire curiosity about the world.

Her remarks also included encouragement for children to spend more time reading rather than focusing solely on digital devices. She described reading and writing as activities that open doors to adventure, learning, and discovery.

The Queen reminded the finalists that stories have the power to take readers on journeys across the world and beyond, helping young minds develop creativity and confidence in expressing their thoughts.

Reflecting on the talent displayed in the competition, Queen Camilla praised the young writers for bringing their imaginative worlds to life through their stories. She noted that each entry demonstrated how storytelling can spark excitement and curiosity among readers.

During her address, the Queen also referenced the celebrated author A. A. Milne, whose beloved character Winnie the Pooh was first introduced to the world exactly one hundred years ago. By mentioning the anniversary of Milne’s famous book, she highlighted how enduring stories can inspire generations of readers and writers.

To conclude her speech, Queen Camilla shared one of Milne’s well-known lines, reminding the young finalists of their potential and encouraging them to continue exploring their creativity.

Among the winners recognized during the ceremony were Zuran Zhang in the five-to-seven age category, whose imaginative story followed two adventurous rabbits traveling to Mars in search of a planet filled with carrots. In the eight-to-eleven category, Maya Ukwuway received the gold medal for a story featuring a mysterious and adventurous circus setting.

The ceremony also featured special readings of selected stories performed by well-known guests, including actress Jodie Whittaker, actress Joanna Page, and broadcaster Sara Cox. Their performances brought the children’s imaginative stories to life for the audience gathered at Windsor Castle.

Illustrations created to accompany the winning stories were also displayed during the reception, allowing guests to see visual interpretations of the characters and adventures imagined by the young writers.

The BBC 500 Words competition continues to be one of the most widely recognized creative writing initiatives for children in the United Kingdom. Each year it encourages thousands of young participants to develop their storytelling skills and share their imaginative ideas through writing.

By hosting the finalists at Windsor Castle and presenting medals personally, Queen Camilla highlighted the importance of nurturing creativity and supporting literacy among young people.

The event served as a reminder that storytelling remains a powerful way for children to explore their imagination, build confidence in communication, and discover the joy of reading and writing.