A BBC literary competition where winners will have the chance to meet "Her Majesty The Queen" has sparked confusion online.

500 Words, which has been running since 2011, challenges children in two age categories (five to seven and eight to 11) to write a story they would enjoy reading in 500 words or less, 50 finalists are then invited to a grand final at Buckingham Palace in February the following year.

But people have been left wondering if the winners will be meeting the Queen Consort, Camillia or Queen Elizabeth II who was formally known as "the Queen" until she died in 2022.

It comes as the BBC Press Office posted on X: "Calling all young writers BBC 500 Words is back!

"Celebrating the best homegrown storytelling, children from across the UK can submit their own original short story. Winners will have the chance to meet Her Majesty The Queen!"

Someone replied to the tweet: "She's alive! Miraculous!"

"Perhaps the winner can take the job of whoever proofread this before hitting send," another added.

This user wrote: "Queen died in 2022 please delete this, very disrespectful."

One account shared: "I know you mean Camilla, but this post has ironically shown that only about 1% actually consider her the 'Queen'."

This person questioned: "The Queen????"

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"welcome back elizabeth II," joked another.

Someone also said: "I have some bad news for you.... your a little too late to meet her."

Each winner of 500 Words takes home a bundle of books, while the author of the stories who receive gold in each category will also win 500 books for their school library.

At the final, the books will be judged by authors Cottrell-Boyce, Malorie Blackman, Francesca Simon and Charlie Higson, comedian Sir Lenny Henry and singer Olivia Dean.

It will also see celebrities read out the winning stories, which will be given bronze, silver and gold in each age group.

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The panel will be chaired by The One Show presenter Alex Jones.

Entrants have until 9pm on Friday, November 8 2024 to submit their tales, which are not allowed to recount historical events, use AI in their creation, or give personal details of the child including their name.

The final will be shown in a special 500 Words programme with The One Show on BBC One at 7pm on World Book Day on March 6, 2025.