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Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 17, 2022 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aviation): Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, Vice-Patron of the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), was joined recently by RCS Ambassadors Geri Horner and David Walliams to launch The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2022.

“As Vice-Patron of the Royal Commonwealth Society,” the Duchess said in a video launch of the event, “I am delighted to announce the launch of the 2022 Competition. Your powerful stories, essays, poetry, and letters from around the Commonwealth never fail to bring us together as a community. I look forward to reading this year’s winning entries and encourage all of you to put your thinking caps on and get writing.”

Speaking to the 2022 theme, ‘Our Commonwealth’, RCS Ambassador David Walliams, encouraged young people to explore “the importance of service, following The Queen’s example.” “The Queen’s seven decades of service are an inspiring example of the contribution we can all make in our communities”, said RCS Ambassador Geri Horner.

Dr. Linda Yueh, Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society said the Society is immensely proud to deliver The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, the oldest school writing competition in the world, and is grateful for the staunch support of our Vice-Patron, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. In 2022, on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee year, the Society’s Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, will celebrate 70 years as the Head of the Commonwealth.

The Queen’s seven decades of service to the Commonwealth are an inspiring example of the steadfast commitment and important contribution we can all make to our societies. This year, Competition asks entrants to explore the positive impact that can be achieved through dedication and selfless commitment to our Commonwealth family.

The Royal Commonwealth Society is a network of individuals and organisations committed to improving the lives and prospects of Commonwealth citizens around the world. Through youth empowerment, education and high-level advocacy, the RCS champions literacy, equality, the environment and connected communities across the Commonwealth’s 54 member nations.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC) was founded in 1883 by the Royal Commonwealth Society and is the world’s oldest international schools’ writing contest. Today, the QCEC is a special vehicle for introducing young people from remote communities, under[1]represented demographic groups, and disadvantaged backgrounds to creative writing, developing key literacy skills and increasing educational attainment. Each year, young people write on a theme that stems from the Commonwealth’s values and principles, fostering an empathetic and open-minded worldview in the next generation of leaders. Recent themes have focused on the environment, inclusion, the role of youth leadership, and gender equality.

The Junior category is open to entrants aged 13 years and under and the Senior category is open to entrants aged 14-18. More information about The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition can be found at: https://www.royalcwsociety.org/essay-competition