Man Booker Prize 2018
Published
Tonight The Duchess of Cornwall presented the Man Booker Prize for Fiction 2018 to Anna Burns for her novel Milkman. The judges said Milkman was "simply marvellous" and Anna Burns is the first writer from Northern Ireland to win the prize.
Milkman beat competition from Everything Under by Daisy Johnson - who, at 27, was the youngest nominee in Man Booker history.
The other nominees were The Long Take by Robin Robertson, Washington Black by Esi Edugyan, The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner, and The Overstory by Richard Powers.
During an awards ceremony at the Guildhall in London, The Duchess said:
For over half a century the Man Booker Prize has done a wonderful job introducing remarkable writers to new readers. Thank you to everybody involved in the Man Booker Prize for the books you have given us over the past fifty years.
Read The Duchess's speech in full here.
Related content
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...
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.
The Queen hears about Avon and Somerset Police's approach to tackling domestic abuse
12 February 2026
Announcement of a State Visit by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Speech delivered by The Queen during a visit to Maggie’s Cheltenham, to celebrate the charity’s 30th anniversary
I should like to end by expressing my heartfelt thanks to the whole Maggie’s community. To Maggie’s children, Lily and John, who have done so much to continue their mother’s...
A message from The Queen to mark the 5th anniversary of The Queen's Reading Room
Reading truly changes how we perceive, how we think and how we connect.
State Visit by The President of The Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender
03 December 2025
The Queen hosts a reception for winners of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition
20 November 2025
Further details of The King and Queen's State Visit to the Holy See
State Visit by The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Frau Büdenbender
Their Majesties The King and Queen undertake a State Visit to the Holy See
Remarks by Her Majesty The Queen, Sponsor of HMS Astute, at a ceremony to mark the end of the submarine’s first commission, HMNB Devonport
Each time I have met your Commanding Officers and visited the submarine, I am reminded of the exceptional servicemen and women in our Royal Navy. Commanding Officers, the Ship...
