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Posted on June 3rd 2026
Young Poet Laureate London 2026 - Latifah
Her Majesty Queen Camilla, who is the Patron of the National Literacy Trust, attended a specially held event at the British Library and joined around 150 volunteers and schoolchildren in the library’s piazza.
The occasion coincided with The Big Lunch, a UK-wide initiative that encourages communities to come together, share food, and celebrate connections.
A highlight of the day was a special performance by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, who recited a short poem from the stage.
Simon Armitage then introduced two newly appointed Young Poet Laureates for London: Maya and Harris Girls' Academy Bromleys very own Latifah. Both students took part in a programme run by the National Literacy Trust, designed to help young people discover and develop their love of poetry, beating 1,100 other entrants.
The two young poets confidently performed pieces they had written especially for the event. In a truly memorable moment, Latifah had the honour of reading her poem to the Queen and a distinguished audience, making it a special experience she will cherish forever.
Latifah’s achievement is a proud moment for the whole HGABR community. Her performance highlighted not only her talent and creativity, but also the importance of giving young people a platform to share their voices.
Overall, the event was a wonderful celebration of reading, writing, and community spirit - showing how literature can inspire, connect, and create unforgettable memories.
Latifah’s Poem:
I Cannot Draw
I have watched
as people mirror the masters,
Paintings,
Sculptures,
Drawings.
Every curve,
Every tint,
Every charcoal phantom
catches my eye
And steals my breaths.
It is a complex force,
To create gold from paper.
I cannot mimic
the shimmer of an iris.
I cannot capture
the salt of the sea in a heavy tear.
So I will write,
I will weave flowers into my phrases
And create maps in my stories
but I cannot coax
my pen to a canvas.
or teach my words to bloom.
I am already trapped by all the 'no's.
I already believe
that I cannot create
though I know
all it takes is a bit of grit,
I cannot force a love
for a dance
I do not know.
So I will write
and scribble
and carve my voice into these lines
because I cannot draw
but watch as I make
these pages glow
For more information on the event see:
Independent: Queen joins celebrations at British Library to mark National Year of Reading
The National Literacy Turst: Young Poet Laureate Programme
Young Poet Laureate: Anthology 2026
