Royal Commonwealth Society announces rebrand of flagship youth writing competition

With a renewed vision for creativity and inclusion, the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) has unveiled a new chapter in one of its most celebrated youth initiatives. Its flagship programme, long known as The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, has been rebranded as The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition – a change that signals a broader embrace of written expression in all its forms and a continued commitment to amplifying young voices across the Commonwealth. The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, now The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition (QCWC), is the world’s oldest international writing contest. Delivered by the Royal Commonwealth Society for over 140 years, it provides a platform for young people to express their ideas, aspirations and experiences through creative writing. The competition is open to under-18 nationals or residents of all Commonwealth countries and territories, Hong Kong, Ireland, and Zimbabwe, plus residents of non-Commonwealth countries with a Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) branch or partner organisation (entries via local branch). Each year, the theme is drawn from Commonwealth values and principles. It encourages young people to engage with pressing issues of the day, such as the environment, equality and youth leadership, to foster an open-minded and empathetic world-view. Since 2010, this high-profile competition has engaged over 278,000 young people, over 5700 schools, and thousands of volunteer judges across the Commonwealth, with a record number of participants in 2025. At the heart of the Royal Commonwealth Society’s latest reimagining of its flagship youth writing programme is a simple but powerful idea: every young voice deserves space to be heard, no matter where in the Commonwealth it comes from.

Evolution
As part of this evolution, the newly renamed Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition has been redesigned to invite broader participation and deepen regional representation. The competition will now be open to all Commonwealth nationals or residents under the age of 18, bringing young writers together within a single age category. Alongside one overall winner, the programme will also recognise outstanding entries from each of the Commonwealth’s five regions – ensuring that talent, creativity and excellence are celebrated across borders.
Janet Cooper OBE, Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society, described the changes as both timely and necessary, noting that the reimagined structure reflects the organisation’s enduring values while responding to the needs of a new generation of young writers. “As we look to the future of this historic competition, this reimagining marks an important and timely evolution,” Cooper said. “By strengthening regional representation, we are ensuring that a greater diversity of voices, perspectives and experiences are reflected and celebrated. This renewed structure honours our long-standing legacy while positioning the competition to be more inclusive, accessible and responsive to young people across all regions.”
The shift is also visible in the competition’s refreshed visual identity. Its new logo draws on the Royal Commonwealth Society’s five brand colours, with a crown formed from five pen nibs – a symbolic nod to creativity, the written word and the unity of the Commonwealth’s five regions coming together through storytelling.
The competition continues to enjoy the support of Her Majesty the Queen, Vice-Patron of the Royal Commonwealth Society and a longstanding advocate for literacy. Her commitment to reading and writing as tools for opportunity, connection and understanding remains closely aligned with the competition’s mission – an alignment reflected in a remarkable 53 per cent growth in participation over the past year. Through this rebrand, the Royal Commonwealth Society reinforces its dedication to inspiring young people, championing education, and nurturing a shared sense of identity and creativity across the Commonwealth. The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition will officially open to entrants on March 4, 2026, inviting a new generation of writers to share their stories with the world. The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) is a network of individuals and organisations committed to improving the lives and prospects of Commonwealth citizens across the world. Through youth empowerment, education, and high-level advocacy, the Society champions education, equality, and the environment across the Commonwealth’s 56 member nations. Our unique position within the Commonwealth family allows us to play a pivotal role in convening and connecting the Commonwealth’s political and diplomatic representatives, civil society, business and youth leaders on a wide range of issues, as well as to deliver highlights of the Commonwealth calendar, such as the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey and the High Commissioners’ Banquet at Guildhall or Mansion House. Founded in 1868, the Society is privileged to have His Majesty the King as Patron and Her Majesty the Queen as Vice-Patron.
The Society is non-partisan, independent of governments and relies on public generosity to achieve its mission.