The Duchess of Cornwall attended the final of BBC Radio 2’s short story competition 500 Words at Hampton Court Palace today.
Young people from all over the country who submitted a short story were invited to attend a special recording of the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show with Chris Evans in the grounds of the Tudor palace.
Honorary Judge The Duchess of Cornwall arrived at the event in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and told attendees: "I want to encourage everyone here to keep reading, to keep writing, and to keep saying a big fat yes to adventures." Read The Duchess’s speech in full.
Winning entries were read out by Dara O Briain, Jason Isaacs, Jim Broadbent, Amanda Abbington, David Walliams and Shobna Gulati, and there were musical performances from Bastille and Alexandra Burke.
After the event, the competition winners were given a ride in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, chauffeured by Chris Evans, and finalists attended a reception in the grounds of the Palace.
