The Duchess Of Cornwall appeared in high spirits as she met with Alexadra Bruke and Geri Horner to host a reception for the winners of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition today.
To celebrate the oldest international writing contest for schools in the world, the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out at London’s St James’ Palace to present winners and runners up their certificates.
Camilla, aged 74, was elegant in a navy suit. She warmly welcomed Geri Horner 49 years old, a Spice Girl, in a long-sleeved, white silk dress with silver embellishments and button detailing.
The ceremony was held at Buckingham Palace in October 2019. She was then named as an inaugural member for the Royal Commonwealth Society. She also attended last year’s Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.
The Duchess Of Cornwall looked in high spirits as she hosted an event for today’s winners of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition.
Camilla, 74 cut an elegant figure wearing a navy suit and warmly welcomed Geri Horner (49), who looked stunning in a long-sleeved white silk gown.
The popstar has a long history with the royal family.
Geri’s ‘cheeky’ first meeting with Prince Charles in May 1997 became one of the most famous moments in pop culture history when she reportedly pinched his bottom during an event in Manchester.
Charles wrote to Geri the following year, expressing his sorrow at her departure.
He was reported to have written, “The group won’t be the same without your help.” “What will I do without your wonderful friendly greeting?”
The singer has been an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust since then. The pair last met at the Savoy Hotel in February 2019, where they were able to attend a charity event.
Geri, who gave a speech at this event, paired her vintage look with an elegant pearl necklace, killer suede heels, and wore her red dresses with a loose, messy hairstyle around her shoulders.
The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, which was established in 1883, was attended by Alexandra Burke and other Royal Commonwealth Society ambassadors.
Back in October 2019, the former Spice Girl, pictured greeting Camilla this morning, attended the Buckingham Palace ceremony, before being named an inaugural member for the Royal Commonwealth Society
Geri wore a vintage dress with button detailing and silver embellishments. She paired it with a stunning pearl necklace and killer suede heels. Her red dresses were worn loosely with her shoulders.
To celebrate the oldest international writing contest for schools in the world, the Duchess came out to St James’ Palace and presented the certificates to the winners and runners up
The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition was Established in 1883 and other Alexandra Burke, Gyles brandreth, and Femi Elufowoju Jr. were among the Royal Commonwealth Society ambassadors.
A theme is a prompt that prompts young writers to submit their work each year. Recent themes include Climate Action in the Commonwealth in 2017 and A Connected Commonwealth in 2018.
X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, 33, donned a monochrome suit with a simple black clutch bag as she greeted the Duchess at the event this afternoon.
In 2021, the competition attracted a record-breaking 25,648 children from every Commonwealth region. The competition theme was Community in the Commonwealth.
Camilla addressed the young writers present at the event. They were asked to submit their pieces in response the the theme ‘Community in the Commonwealth.
Camilla, who has already championed the cause of literacy, is seen giving a speech as she awarded the winners of this year’s Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition
L-R, RCS Ambassador Gyles Brandreth and Mei Fong. Chair of RCS, Linda Yueh. Junior Runner up, Raisa Gulati. Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall, FemiElufowoju Jr. Senior Winner. Kayla Bosire. Geri Horner. Dame Susan Hill. Senior Runner Up, Aditi.
Former Spice Girl Geri, who is an ambassador of The Prince of Wales’ charity The Prince’s Trust, gave a speech at the event
Gyles Brandreth, former MP and broadcaster, appeared in good spirits while addressing the audience today
The Duchess Of Cornwall meets Aditi Nair, Senior Runner-up, during a reception today for the winners of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition.
The 2021 competition’s theme was “Community in the Commonwealth”. Other RCS ambassadors included Lewis Pugh, Stephen Fry and David Walliams. Kareena Kapoor, a Bollywood actress, was also involved.
Journalist Mei Fong, broadcaster Gyles, chair of the RCS, Linda Yueh and competition judge Femi all made a speeches at the event.
Raisa Gulati was the junior runner up in the competition, Aditi Nair was the senior runnerup, and Kayla Bosire was the senior winner.
Earlier this year Camilla, who has already championed the cause of literacy, launched an online book club aiming to be a ‘celebration of literature’ and, she hopes, a hub for literary communities around the world.
Ambassador to the RCS, Alexandra is seen posing with Camilla and 2020 winner Cassandra Nguyen
Senior winner Kayla Bosire (left) and senior runner-up, Aditi Nair (right) are presented with their certificates at the event this afternoon
The Duchess Of Cornwall presents Raisa Gulati, junior runner-up with a certificate at the reception for winners
Camilla appeared in good spirits as she chatted with guests at the reception held for winners of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay competition 2021 this afternoon
Camilla is seen here presenting Cassandra Nguyen (Junior Winner 2020) with a pen at the reception for winners
The Duchess Of Cornwall is seen here meeting Raisa Gulati, junior runner-up, at the reception this afternoon
She has highlighted favorite books by Charles Dickens and Susan Hill, as well as Philip Pullman.
Camilla was inspired to start the initiative free of charge by the incredible response to the two suggested reading lists that she published during lockdown.
The Duke of Edinburgh, a passionate reader, was Booktrust’s proud patron for many years, before he passed the role to Camilla in 2011.