Young Commonwealth writers take centre stage during CHOGM 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda
As Commonwealth leaders gathered in Antigua and Barbuda for CHOGM 2026, the Royal Commonwealth Society brought together 50 young people at Princess Margaret School for a special Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition workshop, culminating in a visit from Her Majesty The Queen.
On Tuesday 3 November 2026, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda, the Royal Commonwealth Society brought together 50 young people aged 10–14 at Princess Margaret School for an interactive creative writing workshop celebrating storytelling, literacy, creativity and Commonwealth identity.
The event formed part of The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition, the world’s oldest international schools’ writing competition, delivered by the Royal Commonwealth Society since 1883 and open to young people across the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth.
Celebrating creativity and Caribbean voices
The workshop was led by award-winning Antiguan author Joanne C. Hillhouse, who guided participants through a morning of creative writing and discussion.
Across three workshop sessions, students took part in a literature review, guided writing and individual writing activities, giving them the opportunity to develop their confidence, creativity and writing skills.
The winning entry from The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026 was also shared at the beginning of the session to inspire participants and showcase the possibilities of creative storytelling.
A special visit from Her Majesty The Queen
The morning became even more memorable with a visit from Her Majesty The Queen, Vice-Patron of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
Her Majesty was welcomed to the workshop by Janet Cooper OBE, Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society, before meeting participants and hearing more about their writing.
The Queen visited students around the auditorium, speaking with young writers about their experiences and creative work.
Since 2014, Her Majesty has been a passionate champion of The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition, supporting literacy and creative expression through workshops and award ceremonies across the Commonwealth.
Her longstanding commitment to reading and writing has helped increase the reach and impact of the Competition, encouraging young people to share their perspectives and demonstrating the power of storytelling to foster understanding and connection across nations.
We were also pleased to welcome Marie-France van Heel and Jodie Haydon, who joined the visit and met participants as they showcased their creativity and passion for storytelling.
Recognising young writers
During the visit, young people who had participated in The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026 were invited to receive certificates from Her Majesty.
The presentation celebrated their involvement in the Competition and recognised the creativity, confidence and commitment of young writers in Antigua and Barbuda.
The workshop also created an opportunity to celebrate the young people who had already taken part in this year’s Competition and to encourage more students to see creative writing as a way of sharing their own experiences, communities and perspectives.
Bringing youth engagement to CHOGM 2026
Taking place alongside CHOGM 2026, the workshop highlighted the importance of education, youth engagement and cultural exchange as Commonwealth leaders gathered in Antigua and Barbuda.
By bringing young people together through creative writing, the event provided a platform for participants to explore their identities, communities and experiences while celebrating Caribbean voices and culture.
It also reflected the Royal Commonwealth Society’s wider commitment to ensuring that young people are part of the Commonwealth conversation and have opportunities to share their ideas and perspectives.
The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition continues to provide young people across the Commonwealth with an opportunity to express themselves through the written word.
Through activities such as the workshop at Princess Margaret School, the Royal Commonwealth Society aims to build on that momentum by inspiring more young people to discover the value of creative writing and recognise that their stories deserve to be shared.
The workshop in Antigua and Barbuda was designed not only to celebrate those already involved in the Competition, but also to help nurture the next generation of Commonwealth writers.
About The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition
The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition is the world’s oldest international schools’ writing competition, delivered by the Royal Commonwealth Society since 1883.
Open to young people across the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth, the Competition provides a platform for young writers to explore themes of identity, community, culture and shared values through creative writing.
