The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025 is officially accepting submissions! Young writers from across the Commonwealth are encouraged to participate.
This year’s theme, Our Commonwealth Journey, explores how journeys whether physical, historical, or personal shape our understanding and growth.
The Commonwealth itself has a rich history, evolving since its founding in 1949. Today, it unites 56 nations spanning five continents and a third of the world’s oceans, representing 2.7 billion people.
Participants can reflect on different types of journeys real or imagined, past or future and the impact of the Commonwealth’s work.
The competition has two categories, each with specific age ranges, word counts, and four unique writing prompts to inspire creativity.
Join the Senior Category
This group is for those born between 23 May 2006 and 23 May 2011.
Your story must be no more than 1,500 words.
Choose one of these four topics:
- Picture a Commonwealth where all people get the same chance at school.
- Tell a famous folklore from your country or another in a new way.
- Write about a time a book took you on a journey and how it changed you.
- Tell the life story of a plant that grows in the centre of your town or village.
Enter the Junior Category
This group is for those born on or after 23 May 2011.
Your story must be no more than 750 words.
Choose one of these four topics:
- Write about a time you learned something new about a Commonwealth country.
- Tell a sea trip story from one country to a small island nation. What do you see and who do you meet?
- You find a secret door into your best-loved book. What happens inside?
- Imagine animals from different countries gather for a big meeting. What do they say?
Win a Free Trip to London
Two winners from each group will get a full trip to London.
The trip will last one week.
It will include fun and learning.
It will end with a big event in a Royal Palace.
Writers who do well will get a Certificate of Participation.
Some will also get Gold, Silver or Bronze Awards.
Check If You Can Join
You must live in a Commonwealth country or territory.
People in Hong Kong, Ireland and Zimbabwe can also enter.
Apply Before the Deadline
The closing date is 23 May 2025.
To enter, go to the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition application page.
More details are on the official Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition website.
Send in your best story before the deadline.
This could be the start of something great.
Conclusion
The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025 offers a unique opportunity for young voices to share their perspectives on the past, present, and future of the Commonwealth. Through storytelling and reflection, participants can explore the power of journeys whether across lands, through time, or within communities. As the Commonwealth continues to evolve, this competition celebrates the creativity and vision of its next generation. We encourage all eligible writers to take part and contribute to this inspiring global conversation. Submit your entry and be part of the Commonwealth’s unfolding story!