The Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026

Calling all young writers across the Commonwealth! The Royal Commonwealth Society is thrilled to announce a major evolution of its iconic youth initiative. Formerly known as the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, this globally celebrated programme now has a fresh new identity: The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition.

This exciting rebrand signals a broader, more inclusive approach to writing, embracing creativity in all forms. From essays to poetry, storytelling, and beyond, young people under 18 can now share their ideas, experiences, and imagination on a global stage.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools, established in 1883. With thousands of young people taking part every year, it is an important way to recognise achievement, elevate youth voices and develop key skills through creative writing.

  

With the 2026 theme, Common Ground: Better Together, participants are encouraged to reflect on the bonds that unite people and communities throughout the Commonwealth, and to consider how cooperation, understanding, and partnership can drive positive change.

Eligibility: Below 18 years

The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026  is now open for entries until 30 April 2026.

Questions for The Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026

1. Sport & Community

Sport is one of the Commonwealth’s most powerful shared languages.

With the Commonwealth Games returning to Glasgow in 2026, write about how sport brings people together across communities, cultures, or generations.

You move to a new place and join a sports team or volunteer group to meet new people. What happens next, who do you meet, and what common ground do you share?

​2. Culture: Food, Music & Hobbies

Cultural traditions often connect people across distance and difference.

Someone from another Commonwealth country knocks on your door. They ask you to share one food or song that represents where you come from. What do you choose, how do you share it, and what happens between you?

  2. Write about a hobby, creative interest, or passion of your own. How does it connect you to other people, either locally or across the Commonwealth.

​3. Protecting the Environment & our Natural World

The natural world is one of humanity’s most important forms of shared ground.

Think of a place in nature that is important to your community. Write about why it matters to people and how caring for it together helps create common ground.

2. From plastic clean-ups to tree planting, people all over the Commonwealth are working for the common good of our natural environment. Imagine a time where sustainable choices shape every part of daily life. Describe a day in this world.

 4. Shared Identity, Responsibility, & Common Ground

Across time, place, and culture, people are connected by shared stories, values, symbols, and responsibilities. These connections shape identity, community, and the principles that guide how societies are governed.

One night, students from all Commonwealth countries find themselves trapped inside an enormous library. The books will only let them leave if they create a new Commonwealth Charter. What would this charter say, and how would it help countries work together in the future?

2. Write about a time, either real or imagined, when you realised you had far more in common with another living being (could be human, animal, plant) than you previously thought.

​5. Language, Human Connection & Understanding

Common ground is forged through communication, from face-to-face conversation to video calls across the globe.

Across the Commonwealth, recent advances in digital technology have created new opportunities for connection, while also highlighting what remains uniquely human. What can people contribute that technology can never replace, and why is human connection still vital within diverse Commonwealth communities?

 2. Within the Commonwealth, shared languages exist alongside and intermingled with many other national languages and local dialects. How does shared language create connection while still allowing space for difference and creativity?

Who can enter?

You are eligible to enter the competition if you are 18 years or younger and are a national or resident of a Commonwealth country or territory. If you are 19 years old or older by 30 April 2026, we encourage you to enter the Commonwealth Short Story Prize - Commonwealth Short Story Prize - Commonwealth Foundation

Word limit

The maximum word count is 1,000 words. Entrants should not feel any need to use up all available words. There is no minimum word count, and our judges mark based on the quality of the writing, so longer entries will not automatically score higher than shorter entries.