Her Majesty sent a very special message to Sir Lenny Henry to launch the start of BBC 500 Words, a short story writing competition for children.

In a sweet video posted to Instagram, Sir Lenny read the message - a touching poem - aloud, while wearing a smart suit and sitting in Buckingham palace.

Sir Lenny read Queen Camilla's poem aloud:

What to read next

"I send this letter, dear Sir Lenny,

to ask you kindly if there’s any

chance you might today at Breakfast

tell your viewers of a contest,

which inspires imagination,

creativity, celebration.

The call, you will, I’m sure, have heard:

“Send us your Five Hundred Words!”

If you’re aged from five to seven,

or from eight up to eleven.

write your story, send it in:

you could be the one to win!

Any subject, any style:

make us marvel, make us smile,

make us think – and think again.

You have until November 10.

The hunt is on. We seek a star.

The best of luck.

– Camilla R"

In the video, Sir Lenny was also seen sitting with BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay. The pair shared a cup of tea in an exclusive visit to Buckingham Palace.

The Queen's poem invites primary school aged children from across the UK to submit their own original short story from today (26 September) until 8pm on Friday 10 November, as part of a BBC creative writing competition called 500 Words.

The competition launched on BBC Breakfast, live from a primary school in Abergavenny.