From the Archives: The History of Travel as a Prize in The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition

Welcome to the first instalment of From the Archives, a new feature in our newsletter where we share stories uncovered in the Royal Commonwealth Society’s historic collections. 

The Society transferred administration of the collection to Cambridge University Library in 1993, following difficulties and a severe flood that caused significant damage to the club’s library. Today, the archives form the largest single collection held by Cambridge University Library. They offer a fascinating window into the people, events, and traditions that have shaped both the Society and the Commonwealth for over 150 years. 

To launch this series, we’re exploring the history of travel as a prize in The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition. 

1974 marked the first year in which international travel formed part of the award, though it operated differently from today. Annette Brown of Bradford (England), who won the competition with an essay on Britain’s entry into the Common Market, was granted a trip of her choice. She selected Benares (India) as her destination. 

(Benares circa 1974) 

In 1979/80, a two-week tour of Britain was awarded to Kavita Nandini Ramdas of Springdales School, New Delhi, for winning Class A of the essay competition. The RCS archives contain correspondence relating to the detailed itinerary planned for Kavita. Kavita’s trip included visits to Edinburgh, Penrith, Cardiff, Bristol, Kent and London, a cricket match between Middlesex and Surrey at Lords, and visits to the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Here she is pictured in 1980. 

Ramdas would go on to become President and CEO of the Global Fund for Women.  

Nowadays, travelling to London is the grand prize of the Competition. However, in some earlier years, ceremonies occurred in the winner’s home country. In 2004, for example, Amanda Chang and two other Singaporean winners met the then-Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Don McKinnon, and the then-Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsein-Loong, himself a former winner, at a special ceremony at the Singapore branch of the RCS. 

Many top entrants have gone on to take part in unforgettable royal visits around the world. As Vice-Patron of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Her Majesty Queen Camilla has welcomed several of them to remarkable occasions. In 2018, she met past participants during a school visit in Ghana, and in 2024, she hosted a gathering at a library in Sydney. These experiences serve as a reminder that success isn’t just about taking first place; pushing yourself, striving for excellence, and embracing learning can open doors to incredible opportunities.

Today, the competition’s structure centres on winners and runners-up travelling to London - a prize that has played a key role in its growing popularity. Interestingly, earlier versions of the competition also placed travel at the heart of their awards. This continuity reflects something timeless: the enduring mission to inspire young people to explore, connect, and discover cultures beyond their own.

With Special thanks to Sally Kent, Curator, Royal Commonwealth Society Collection, University of Cambridge Library, for conducting research on the essay competition archive.

---

 The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Royal Commonwealth Society.