Queen Camilla left viewers of The One Show expressing similar sentiments of admiration and emotion following her heartfelt and inspiring speech on children's literacy. The special episode, broadcast on Friday evening, March 6, 2026, was hosted by Alex Jones and Roman Kemp from the historic Windsor Castle, where the winners of the BBC's 500 Words writing competition were announced.
A Royal Endorsement for Literacy
During the ceremony, Queen Camilla addressed the audience with a moving message that emphasised the importance and enjoyment of reading and writing. She shared, "I hope you have enjoyed taking part in the 500 Words, but in doing so you have discovered a secret. A secret that reading and writing are the best fun ever. And don't just take my word for it."
Connecting with Literary History
The Queen continued by referencing the beloved author A.A. Milne, noting that exactly a century ago, he published the first book featuring Winnie the Pooh. She quoted Milne, saying, "In the main, writing is just the thrill. The thrill of exploring." Camilla humorously added, "Pooh, like all of us here, had firm views about storytelling. He didn't much like long, difficult words. But rather short or easy words. Like, 'What about lunch?'"
As the winners were revealed, Queen Camilla left the audience with another poignant quote from Milne: "Always remember, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. Which makes you all winners." She further highlighted the significance of encouraging children to engage with stories, especially in today's digital age, stating, "I think to get children reading and writing stories, especially nowadays, is so important. And also, it gives them time to get away from some of their phones!"
Viewer Reactions and Praise
The speech resonated deeply with audiences, prompting an outpouring of positive reactions on social media platforms. One viewer posted on X, formerly Twitter, simply stating, "I'm not crying," while another gushed on Instagram, "What a nice clever and inspiring speech!!" Additional comments described the address as "marvellous" and "thoroughly lovely," with many users flooding platforms with heart emojis to express their appreciation.
One audience member declared the initiative "brilliant," and another praised Queen Camilla, saying, "Her Majesty is just an extraordinary woman. Truly inspiring." These responses underscored the widespread impact of her words and the event's focus on literacy.
Celebrating Young Talent
The BBC Bitesize-supported 500 Words competition attracted an impressive 46,500 submissions from across the United Kingdom. During the finale, six young writers were honoured as champions, celebrating their creativity and storytelling abilities.
The ceremony featured appearances by notable figures, including Jodie Whittaker, Joanna Page, Sara Cox, Bradley and Barney Walsh, Big Zuu, and Paterson Joseph. Adding to the festive atmosphere, Paddington made a special appearance to perform The Explorer and The Bear from Paddington The Musical, and West End sensation Marisha Wallace delivered a rendition of A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman.
The One Show continues to air at 7pm on BBC One on weekdays, bringing engaging content to viewers nationwide.
