Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall is set to judge BBC Radio 2’s annual 500 Words short story competition for kids.
The 69-year-old royal – who is married to Prince Charles – made her judging debut for the children’s creative writing competition last year, and it has now been announced she will take a seat on the panel once again.
In a special animation – which features the Duchess as a fairy godmother – posted on the radio station’s Twitter page on Monday (16.01.17), competition host Chris Evans said: "Secure your place at the 500 Words final from the Tower of London!
"BBC Radio 2’s writing competition for kids, with our honorary judge Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall."
Duchess Camilla will join a judging panel comprised of authors Charlie Higson, Malorie Blackman, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and Francesca Simon.
Entrants to the competition must be from one of two age group categories – ages five to nine and ages 10 to 13 – and the judges will pick out a bronze, silver, and winning gold story from each category.
The winning stories – which must be comprised of no more than 500 words – will be announced at the Tower of London on June 16, and will be read out to audiences by a star-studded line up of narrators which have, in the past, included the likes of actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hiddleston.
Lewis Carnie, acting controller of BBC Radio 2, said of the competition: "From 30,000 entries when it first launched in 2011 to over 123,000 in 2016, I’m so proud that Radio 2 is able to inspire so many children to get involved, writing their fabulous stories."
The closing date for entries to the 500 Words writing competition is February 23 at 7pm.
Duchess Camilla to judge BBC Radio 2’s short story competition
