On Thursday, November 21, Geri Halliwell-Horner, famously known as Ginger Spice, attended a Buckingham Palace reception hosted by Queen Camilla to honor young writers from the Commonwealth. The pop icon, who has long been a passionate supporter of literacy-focused charities, was among the notable guests celebrating the winners and finalists of the 2024 Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition.
Although Queen Camilla had to cancel her appearance at the Royal Variety Performance on November 22 due to a lingering chest infection, she seemed in high spirits while engaging with Halliwell-Horner during the reception. The two share a strong connection, with Halliwell-Horner serving as an ambassador for the Royal Commonwealth Society and advocating for literacy initiatives in the UK.
Queen Camilla reveals personal story during celebration of young literary talent
In addition to her work with Queen Camilla, Halliwell-Horner has collaborated with Prince William on his Homewards program aimed at tackling homelessness, a project launched in 2023.
Beyond her successful music career, Halliwell-Horner also serves as an ambassador for a variety of charitable organizations, including the United Nations Population Fund. Her literacy advocacy extends internationally, working alongside the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy in the United States.
During the reception, Queen Camilla took a moment to acknowledge the winners of the 2024 Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, which has been held since 1883 and is considered the world’s oldest school writing contest. Out of nearly 35,000 global entries, one winner was chosen in both the senior and junior categories.
In her speech, Camilla shared a personal story about the late Queen Mother, revealing that she had a 1934 edition of Mary Poppins that once belonged to her husband’s grandmother. She offered guests the opportunity to view the book during the event.
Halliwell-Horner’s interaction with the royal family is not her first. In 2018, she shared a charming photograph of the Spice Girls with a young Prince Harry and King Charles from the ’90s. Additionally, Victoria Beckham, or Posh Spice, has been a guest at the royal weddings of both Prince Harry and Prince William.
While Queen Camilla may have missed the 2024 Royal Variety Performance, the Spice Girls once performed at the event in 1997, where they had the honor of meeting Queen Elizabeth.
