What if I'm too old to participate in the competition?

If you're over 18 by the deadline, you'll still be eligible to compete for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize.

Latest

View the 2021 topics

The 2021 theme for The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2021 is 'Community in the Commonwealth'. Find out more about the theme and view the questions.
From virtual conferences to the community

Reflecting on her recent attendance at the CPA UK Commonwealth Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change - preparing for Glasgow United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP26), Asia- Pacific Region Forum and Pan-Commonwealth Forum, Shelley Addison-Bell looks at how we can be agents for change.
RCS Gibraltar Branch partners with the Futures Forward Academy

RCS Gibraltar Branch partners with the Futures Forward Academy, a recently established leadership academy in sustainable development. Collaboration will focus on mapping how sustainability principles and best practice can be built into the governance arrangements and formal objectives of the Gibraltar Branch.
Statement on the passing of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

QCEC Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions for the Competition. Before contacting us please read these.
Tips from the Judges
Guidance Notes
Winning categories
Are there prizes for the winners?
Is there a word limit for the essays?
Can I write on more than one topic?
Where can I find the topics for the 2021 competition?
How do I know my entry was successfully submitted?
How can i download my certificate?

Anthony Joshua and Lewis Pugh appointed Ambassadors

World heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, OBE, and UN Patron of Oceans, Lewis Pugh, OIG, have been appointed Ambassadors of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
HRH The Duchess of Cornwall Encourages Entries To The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2020

The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition has been gathering English language entries of aspiring young writers' thoughts on key issues of the day since 1883. With children across the Commonwealth out of school, we are delighted to share a message from our Vice-Patron HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, inspiring children and young people to enter The Queens Commonwealth Essay Competition 2020.
Statement on the passing of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
Vacancies
Enter the Competition

The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2021 is now live! Details on how to enter the competition will be shared on this page very shortly.
Regional Co-ordinators for 2020-2022 appointed

We are delighted to welcome Regional Co-ordinators for Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and the Pacific and look forward to working with them to improve the lives and prospects of all Commonwealth citizens.
The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition

An opportunity for young Commonwealth citizens to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences on key global issues and have their hard work and achievement celebrated internationally.
Accessibility
View the QCEC 2021 topics

The 2021 theme for The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2021 is 'Community in the Commonwealth'. Find out more about the theme and view the questions.
Geri Horner, David Walliams, Alexandra Burke and Gyles Brandreth appointed Ambassadors

To mark the Society's 152nd anniversary, Geri Horner, David Walliams, Alexandra Burke and Gyles Brandreth have been appointed as inaugural Ambassadors.