Commonwealth Short Story Winner was invited to an award ceremony put on by the Royal Commonwealth Society at Buckingham Palace

Press Release:

Kwame shares the lens with Queen Camilla

Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2023 Winner, Jamaican Kwame McPherson, was invited to a young people’s writing award ceremony recently put on by the Royal Commonwealth Society at Buckingham Palace.

The Queen celebrated 140 years of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Prize with winners, supporters and a host of well-known writers at Buckingham Palace. The competition was founded during Queen Victoria’s reign and since then, has given young people opportunities to express themselves on the issues that matter most to them.

As the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2023 Winner, the Royal Commonwealth Society invited Kwame to represent the Caribbean region (5th Jamaican to win) and Global winner - the 1st Jamaican to do so. Kwame is extremely proud he represented his home, Jamaica.

Kwame says: ‘I’d like to thank those sponsors who stepped up to make this happen. It was a fascinating event. Buckingham Palace is a magnificent building with a history that tells only half of the story! But as the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2023 Winner, of the Caribbean and Globally, it was an honour representing Jamaica. In fact, I was the only person directly from the Caribbean in attendance. It was also a privilege to have a brief discussion with Her Majesty the Queen, Queen Camilla and we spoke about encouraging and engaging young people in Jamaica in writing as well as their (including King Charles) love for Jamaica.’

Exceptional thanks go to Joel Laing (Shoan's Collections). Thanks also goes to Billy Heaven, Jollene Johnson-Kerr, LaToya Aquart-Foster (CHASE Fund); Michelle Davis-Roper (Trafalgar Travel) Donovan White, Ann Bucknor, (Jamaica Tourist Board), Sean Wong (graphic designer), Aleya Barnes (iPrint - billboards) and the National Library of Jamaica; for the invaluable support. Commendations to Tarrant Primary School, Toronto United and Calabar High School.

While in the UK, Kwame will be engaged in a number of seminars, interviews and other functions.

Other Readings:

Jamaican Kwame McPherson cops 2023 Commonwealth …

In a first for Jamaica, Kwame McPherson is selected …

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