The Duchess of Cornwall visits the BBC Radio 2 studios for the 500 Words competition judging

Published

 

The Duchess of Cornwall visited the BBC Radio 2 studios in London today to help decide the 500 Words short story competition winners in her role as Honorary Judge. 

The Duchess at the 500 Words competition judging
The Duchess at the 500 Words competition judging

Her Royal Highness joined authors Malorie Blackman and Francesca Simon, screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce, author and actor Charlie Higson and 500 Words founder Chris Evans for the judging session.

The 500 Words competition is now in its seventh year and encourages children, aged between five and 13, to send in stories of no more than 500 words.

This year, the competition has received a record 131,798 entries and today the judges decided on the Bronze, Silver and Gold winners in the two age categories, five to nine years and 10 to 13 years.

This is the second year The Duchess has served as Honorary Judge. 

The winners will be announced during a live broadcast of The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on 16th June at the Tower of London.

Before the judging commenced, The Duchess met some of the Chris Evans BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show guests, including actor Ray Winstone and musical group Blondie.

Related content

Remarks by The King at 'A King's Trust Celebration' at the Royal Albert Hall

You'll all make a huge difference to this country and many others.

18 May 2026
News

The King visits Bermuda

01 May 2026
The King in Bermuda

A speech by His Majesty The King at the White House State Dinner, Washington

Tonight, we are here to renew an indispensable alliance which has long been a cornerstone of prosperity and security for both British and American citizens. Our people have...

29 April 2026

The King’s Address to the Joint Meeting of Congress in Washington

The Alliance that our two Nations have built over the centuries – and for which we are profoundly grateful to the American people – is truly unique.

28 April 2026

The King’s message to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth’s ‘promise with destiny kept’ shaped the world around her and touched the lives of countless people across our nation, the Commonwealth and beyond.

20 April 2026

The King's letter to Colonel Jeremy Hansen ahead of the launch of the Artemis II mission

It is with immense pride and a profound sense of shared purpose that I write to you as you prepare to embark upon the Artemis II mission.

31 March 2026

A Speech by The Queen at a Literary Reception to mark the fifth anniversary of Her Majesty's Reading Room

I find it hard to believe that it is five years since I founded it, at the height of lockdown, with the simple aim of sharing my lifelong conviction that books make life...

25 March 2026
News

Royal Maundy 2026

02 April 2026
Royal Maundy 2026

The King's speech at the Nigeria State Banquet

We in the United Kingdom are blessed that so many people of Nigerian heritage, having chosen Britain as their home, are now at the heart of British life through excelling at...

18 March 2026

The Queen's speech at a WOW reception to mark International Women's Day

Every woman has a story. And these stories must be told. Because when we live in a culture of silence, we empower violence against women and girls.

10 March 2026
News

Commonwealth Day 2026

12 March 2026
Members of The Royal Family attend The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education

The King's Commonwealth Day Message 2026

Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good – grounded in community, committed to the kind of restorative sustainability that...

08 March 2026
Page

Royal Household Gift Policy 2026

This Gift Policy seeks to provide a framework for the management of gifts by The Royal Household, on behalf of The Sovereign and other Members of The Royal Family.

Press release 03 March 2026

The King's Medal for Music 2024 & 2025

Read more

A message from His Majesty The King congratulating Team GB and teams across the Commonwealth on their successes at the Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina.

As the Winter Games come to a close, my wife and I send our most heartfelt congratulations to all the Olympic medal winners from Team GB, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, on...

22 February 2026
Press release 19 February 2026

A Statement from His Majesty The King

Read more
Press release 14 February 2026

The King’s Gold Medal for Poetry 2025

Read more

A message from The King on the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson

My wife and I were deeply saddened to hear of the death of the Reverend Jesse Jackson. We send our deepest sympathy to his family. I remember with great fondness meeting him...

18 February 2026

A message from The King ahead of a reception at Windsor Castle to celebrate carers

So to those who provide care - whether you wear a uniform or simply the clothes you felt able to pull on in the morning - please know that the great love you show in small...

12 February 2026

A message from The King, following the attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia

My wife and I were profoundly shocked and saddened to learn of the most dreadful attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia. We can only express our deepest...

11 February 2026