Applications for the 2025 Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition for young writers in Commonwealth countries have commenced. 

Successful winners and runner-ups stand a chance to win a trip to London for a week of educational and cultural events, at a special Awards Ceremony event at the Royal Palace, London.

This post contains all the details, requirements, essay guidelines and the step-by-step process you will require to submit your application for the Commonwealth Essay Competition.

Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025 Summary

• Host: Royal Commonwealth Society
• Host Country: UK
• Category: Competitions 
• Eligible Countries: Commonwealth Countries
• Reward: Fully Funded Trip to London | Certification | Prizes
• Deadline: May 23, 2025

Commonwealth Essay Competition Details

Each year, young people are asked to write on a theme that explores the Commonwealth’s values and principles, fostering an empathetic and open-minded world view in the next generation of Commonwealth leaders.

Recent themes have focused on the environment, inclusion, the role of youth leadership, and gender equality.

Annually, winners are invited to travel to the United Kingdom for a week of educational and cultural activities, which culminates in a special Awards Ceremony, usually held at Buckingham Palace, that is hosted by the Society’s Vice-Patron, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall.

Past winners have gone on to become prominent leaders, including the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Mei Fong, and the renowned author, Elspeth Huxley.

Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition Requirements

To be considered for the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, you must:

• Be a citizen of a Commonwealth country
• Be under 18 years of age
• Choose to answer one of the topics, and you are encouraged to interpret this in any way you wish. 
• Think carefully about the form of writing you use to answer the topic. There are a variety of forms and styles to play with.
• Make sure to use your own voice and your own words. Judges are very good at spotting work that is not original.
• We understand that English is a diverse language and there are different and innovative ways of using it around the Commonwealth. We encourage diversity and creativity of language in submissions.
• Ensure you take into account grammar and punctuation whilst writing your piece. Do not submit an entry without proof-reading.
• Presentation is important: think about the visual appearance of the entry as well as the quality of the content.

Benefits of Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition

• One Winner and Runner Up will be chosen from each category.
• Winners and Runners Up (accompanied by one adult/guardian) will be brought to London for a week of educational and cultural events, culminating in a special Awards Ceremony.
• A number of Gold Finalist, Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards will be given in both the Senior and Junior categories, rewarding excellence in writing.
• All successful entries will receive a Certificate of Participation.

Guidelines for Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition

(Born between 23 May 2006 and 23 May 2011 (14-18 years of age)) 

1. Equal access to education is enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter as one of the key values and aspirations that unite the Commonwealth. While the Commonwealth has come a long way on the journey towards this, there is still progress to be made. Imagine a Commonwealth in which everyone has the same access to education.
2. National legends and folklore can take us on a journey through history and culture. Retell a famous folklore from your own or another Commonwealth country in a surprising way.
3. “Human beings have always needed the connection of literature – its wisdom as well as its sheer escapism.” – Her Majesty Queen Camilla. Books can take us on journeys to the wildest and most unexpected places! Write about a time a book took you on a journey; how did it affect you?
4. From tiny seeds to large redwoods, trees and plants experience changes and growth throughout their life cycles. Write a story about the life journey of a plant growing in the centre of your community; what does it experience?

JUNIOR CATEGORY 

(Born on or after 23 May 2011 (under 14 years of age))