Royal High Bath's Award Winning student receives congratulations from Queen Camilla
Senior School
Royal High School Bath student and our Poet Laureate for 2026-27, Esme, enjoyed an unforgettable experience at Ashdown Forest after winning first place in her age category in the Ashdown Forest and Royal Literary Fund poetry competition.
To mark 100 years of Winnie‑the‑Pooh, Esme was invited to a special celebration attended by children’s authors, including Julia Donaldson, and guest of honour Queen Camilla.
During the event, the Queen spoke about her own childhood love of A.A. Milne’s stories before congratulating the young winners on their achievements. Her Majesty also congratulated all of the winners and Esme even joined her for a game of Poohsticks at the iconic bridge, a moment widely covered in national and regional media.
Speaking to reporters, Esme described the day as “Amazing - definitely not something I ever would have expected from winning a poetry competition.” She added "It was wonderful to speak with Julia Donaldson, whose books I grew up reading. Overall, it was an incredible experience that I feel very fortunate to have been part of."
It was a remarkable recognition of Esme’s talent and a celebration of creativity in a place that has inspired generations of readers.
Read the full story on the BBC News website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8jkm76myeo
