On Friday, The Duchess of Cornwall attended the live broadcast of the final of BBC Radio 2’s 500 Words creative writing competition at The Tower of London, a hotly anticipated competition celebrating the best young writers in the country.
Another sensational 500 Words final!
Our short story writing contest is given royal approval ??? pic.twitter.com/ABxeAuO8P2— BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) June 16, 2017
Camilla met the finalists at the Tower and announced the winners live on Chris Evan’s radio show, which was broadcast from the Norman fortress and palace.
DUCHESS CAMILLA WHITTLES DOWN 500 WORDS FINALISTS
Camilla hands out medals to the winners of the ‘500 Words’ short story competition at the Tower of London (Clarence House)
Celebrities David Walliams and Noma Dumezweni read out some of the finalist’s stories to the waiting crowds, to show off the youngsters’ skills. Olly Murs, Louisa Johnson and Niall Horan also gave musical performances to the invited guests.
Chris Evans told BBC listeners: “Each year we never fail to be astonished, surprised and moved by the weight of effort that the kids of the UK put into producing their own unique 500 Words magical creations.”
The brilliant @ollyofficial performing live at the @BBCRadio2 #500Words final! pic.twitter.com/ue4MWasNdI
— The Tower of London (@TowerOfLondon) June 16, 2017
In its seventh year, BBC Radio’s 500 Words competition invites under-13s to submit their very best fictional works in 500 words or less. This year the number of entries totalled 131,798, up from 123,436 in 2016.
The Duchess is a patron of many children’s charities and attends many events that honour the youth of Britain and encourage literacy, reading being one of her favourite pastimes.
The winner’s list (including links to the stories):
5-9 years category
Gold: The Kindest of Strangers by Lauren Cook (aged 9)
Silver: Professor Sluggo and the Prosthetic Limbs by Lucinda Levene (8)
Bronze: The Lady Who Grew a Beard by Jed Wherlock (9)
10-13 years category
Gold: Mr B B Wolf vs. Miss R R Hood – Evidence for the Courts by Livia Turner (13)
Silver: Jack and Jill by Ashleigh May (13)
Bronze: My Saviour by Evie McKeon (12)
