Buckingham Palace was buzzing with excitement on February 26, 2025, when Queen Camilla hosted the BBC’s prestigious 500 Words competition for young writers.
It was a day full of surprises, not the least of which was a very unusual guest — Gladiator Nitro, a star from the revived TV show Gladiators.
The former Olympian, whose real name is Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, made quite the entrance in his signature spangly costume, catching the Queen’s attention in the process.
A Royal Encounter with a Gladiator
When Queen Camilla was introduced to Nitro during a formal lineup, she was told, “This is Harry, but you might know him as Gladiator Nitro.”
The Queen, 77, couldn’t help but giggle at the reference, which surely surprised her as much as it did the rest of the guests.
Nitro, ever the gentleman, bowed and said, “It’s so lovely to meet you.” Camilla, with a smile, responded, “The children were so thrilled to be escorted off by a Gladiator,” referring to how the winners of the writing competition were walked back to their seats by Nitro and his fellow Gladiator, Fire.
The pair of athletes, who also returned for the second season of Gladiators, had a fun chat with the Queen.
Fire, whose real name is Montell Douglas, joked about how honored they were to be there, adding that “today was all about the children” — and that was definitely the vibe of the event.
Camilla, curious about their endurance, remarked, “You must be black and blue.”
They all laughed, with Nitro and Fire playfully reflecting on the challenges of staying strong through the rigorous demands of their roles.
A Flashback to a Previous Royal Meeting
For Nitro, this wasn’t his first royal visit. He recalled being invited to Buckingham Palace in 2010 after becoming a British sprinting Olympian.
“I met the late Queen as Harry here in this room,” he said.
At that time, his invitation was to celebrate his achievements on behalf of ethnic minorities.
“I was dressed a bit differently then, and definitely had a lot more clothes on!” he joked, showing his usual wit.
But when he came back this time, dressed in his Gladiator gear, Nitro admitted he felt a bit underdressed compared to the royal surroundings.
“I thought, surely I must be the least dressed man in this room,” he laughed.
However, the Queen didn’t bat an eyelash. “She wasn’t surprised,” Nitro remarked.
“It’s 2025, and we’re welcoming all sorts into the house!”
Nitro’s Thoughts on the Young Writers
As for the BBC 500 Words competition, Nitro was deeply moved by the young writers.
He shared his admiration for the finalists, praising them for their creativity and talent.
“Hearing their words and stories from such young minds just goes to show that we are limitless,” he said.
Nitro, whose own superpower is his incredible speed, went on to describe reading and writing as a “superpower” in its own right.
A Day of Achievements and Special Moments
This year’s competition, which received 44,000 entries from children across the UK, was a tremendous success.
As one of the judges, Sir Lenny Henry marveled at how difficult it was to assess all the stories.
“It is a fantastic achievement to be here,” he said.
The competition’s final will be broadcast on The One Show on March 6, 2025, which also happens to be World Book Day.
Celebrities like Olivia Colman, Danny Jones, Tom Fletcher, Matt Lucas, and Rose Ayling-Ellis were also present to read the children’s stories.
Meanwhile, a heartwarming moment took place when Camilla spoke to a little girl named Camilla Rose from Reading.
The young girl shared a touching story about her dog that had passed away, leading the Queen to reveal that she and King Charles had recently adopted a new puppy named “Moley,” following the loss of her beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Beth.
It was a day full of joy, creativity, and connection, and it was clear that the young writers — and their stories — had left a lasting impact on everyone present at the palace.