Queen Camilla Welcomes Paddington Bear - Queen Camilla and Paddington Bear celebrate young writers at Windsor Castle finale
Queen Camilla hosted a special event at Windsor Castle to celebrate the BBC 500 Words writing competition. The finale brought together young finalists, a beloved fictional bear, and a royal audience. Over 46,000 children took part in this year's main event.
The competition, launched in 2011, has seen more than 1 million children enter over the years. In recent times, numbers have climbed steadily—from around 100,000 in 2021 to over 250,000 by 2025. This rise follows post-pandemic recovery and wider promotion of the event.
At the finale, Queen Camilla presented medals to the young writers. She also welcomed Paddington Bear, who made a formal appearance. The bear greeted her with a bow and a handshake, adding a playful touch to the ceremony.
Marmalade sandwiches, Paddington's favourite treat, were served to guests. The event marked the end of another successful year for the competition, which encourages creativity in young authors across the UK.
The BBC 500 Words competition continues to expand, with this year's entries reaching 46,000. Queen Camilla's involvement and the presence of Paddington Bear highlighted the celebration of young talent. The finale at Windsor Castle brought together storytelling, tradition, and a touch of whimsy.
