Crown of the Urdd National Eisteddfod

Crowning ceremony at the 1968 Urdd National Eisteddfod

The Crown (Welsh: Coron Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd) is one of the main awards presented at the Urdd National Eisteddfod, the annual Welsh-language youth festival and counterpart to the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

The Crown is generally awarded for the best submitted piece or pieces of prose literature of more than 4,000 words[1][2] or sometimes 2,500 words.[3]

A unique crown is designed and created each year, normally reflecting aspects of the location of the Urdd Eisteddfod in its design, symbolism or materials.[4][5] Winners had generally been allowed to keep a small replica of the Urdd Crown but, since 2011, have been allowed to permanently keep the original.[6]

The first Urdd Eisteddfod Crown was awarded in 1931, won by Rhiannon Collins from Tumble, near Llanelli, Carmarthenshire.[7] The 1931 crown was discovered, still with its velvet presentation box, for sale in a second-hand shop in Swansea in 2007. It was restored and given to the Llanelli Welsh-medium secondary school, Ysgol Gyfun y Strade, who suggested they would use it to wear at their school eisteddfods.[7] The 1931 Crown was on the stage for the crowning ceremony at the 2007 Urdd National Eisteddfod in Carmarthen.[8]

At the 2005 Urdd Eisteddfod in Cardiff the Crown was initially awarded to trainee journalist, Llinos Dafydd, for a controversial work that included dialogue with a paedophile and a prostitute, and a section about bribing the Eisteddfod judges.[9] However, a complaint was made a few days later that she had used an extract from someone else's work without acknowledgment. Dafydd pointed out two other instances in her work, saying she had been "negligent and careless".[9] She relinquished the prize in favour of the writer who had been placed second. Gwenno Mair Davies, a drama and media studies teacher, was presented with the Crown at a ceremony in Caernarfon later that month.[10]

In 2018 the winner, 20-year-old Sioned Erin Hughes was too ill to attend the crowning ceremony because of a rare medical condition. The crown was placed on the chair in her absence and her college lecturer accepted the award on her behalf.[11]

In 2026 19-year-old Elin Undeg Williams won the Crown, marking an unprecedented run of three female winners in a row.[12]

Recent winners of the Urdd Crown

Year Location Winner Pen-name Subject No. of
entrants
2026 AngleseyElin Undeg Williams[3][12]Lloches (Shelter)14
2025Margam ParkMali Elwy[13]Toddi / Ymdoddi (Melting)17
2024 MeifodTegwen Bruce-Deans[14]Gwawrio (Dawning)19
2023 LlandoveryOwain Williams[15]Hadau (Seeds)
2022DenbighTwm Ebbsworth[16]Pysgodyn AurLlen/Llenni (Cover/Covers)7
2021 Virtually
(Eisteddfod T)		 Megan Angharad Hunter[17] Lina Mwgwd/Mygydau (Mask/Masks)[18]
2020 Postponed due to
COVID-19		 – – –
2019Cardiff BayBrennig Davies[19]Fleur De Taf
2018Builth WellsSioned Erin Hughes[20]Terfysgaeth (Terrorism)
2017Pencoed (Bridgend)Elen Gwenllian Hughes[21]Rhyddid (Freedom)17
2016FlintIestyn Tyne[2]Gorwelion (Horizons)14
2015CaerphillyDylan Edwards[22]Didion 1967[23]Bradychiad (Betrayal)
2014 Bala (Merionydd) Llio Elain Maddocks[24] Llongau Bach Pellter[25] (Distance) 17
2013 Boncath
(Pembrokeshire)		 Guto Dafydd[26] Yelizaveta Dwylo (Hands) 15
2012GlynllifonAnni Llyn[27]Egin (To sprout/bud)
2011SwanseaLlŷr Titus[6]GwernFfiniau (Boundaries)
2010 LlanerchaeronCatrin Haf Jones[28]
2009 Cardiff BayLleucu Hughes[29]
2008ConwyDewi Huw Owen[30]Gwerth (Value)
2007CarmarthenRhiannon Marks[8]Dod yn ôl (Coming back)10
2006 Ruthin
(Denbighshire)		 Gwenno Mair Davies[31] Rhywun Arall Perthyn (Belonging) 17
2005 Cardiff Bay Gwenno Mair Davies[10][a] Adnabod (Recognize)

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Initially awarded to Llinos Dafydd, who later gave up the prize

References

  1. ↑ "Crowning glories of this year's Urdd Eisteddfod are unveiled". Western Mail. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2025 – via PressReader.com.
  2. 1 2 Heledd Pritchard (3 June 2016). "Student Iestyn Tyne takes this year's striking crown at the Urdd Eisteddfod". Wales Online. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Elin Undeg Williams yn ennill Coron Eisteddfod yr Urdd Ynys Môn" [Elin Undeg Williams wins the Anglesey Urdd Eisteddfod Crown]. BBC Cymru Fyw (in Welsh). 29 May 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  4. ↑ Eryl Crump (20 May 2016). "Flintshire man who designed chalice for the Pope makes Urdd Eisteddfod crown". North Wales Live. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  5. ↑ Ellie Carter (9 May 2025). "Port Talbot steel used to make Urdd crown and chair". BBC News. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Llŷr Titus enillodd Coron Eisteddfod yr Urdd" [Llŷr Titus won the Urdd Eisteddfod Crown]. BBC Cymry Fyw (in Welsh). 3 June 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Urdd crown restored to glory". North Wales Live. 1 June 2007. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  8. 1 2 "Coron yr Urdd i Rhiannon". BBC Cymru Newyddion (in Welsh). 1 June 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  9. 1 2 "Urdd winner returns crown". Wales Online. 16 June 2005. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  10. 1 2 "Coron: Anrhydeddu enillydd" [Crown: Honouring a winner]. BBC Cymru Newyddion (in Welsh). 17 June 2005. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  11. ↑ "Urdd Eisteddfod crown winner too unwell to attend ceremony". BBC News. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  12. 1 2 "Historic run of female wins as Urdd Eisteddfod announces Crown winner". Nation.Cymru. 29 May 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  13. ↑ Steve Bagnall (31 May 2025). "Urdd Eisteddfod 2025 Main Prose Writer winner announced". North Wales Live. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  14. ↑ Anwen Parry (31 May 2024). "Urdd Eisteddfod: Powys poet Tegwen Bruce-Deans wins the crown". Powys County Times. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  15. ↑ "Owain Williams yw enillydd Coron yr Urdd 2023" [Owain Williams is the 2023 Urdd Crown winner]. BBC Cymry Fyw (in Welsh). 2 June 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  16. ↑ Emily Ash (3 June 2022). "Twm Ebbsworth wins Urdd Eisteddfod literary award". Denbighshire Free Press. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  17. ↑ "Urdd Eisteddfod win crowns "surreal" year for student author". Cardiff University. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  18. ↑ "Megan Angharad Hunter yw enillydd Coron yr Urdd 2020-21" [Megan Angharad Hunter is the Urdd 2020-21 Crown winner]. Golwg360 (in Welsh). 18 October 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  19. ↑ "Brennig Davies yn cipio Coron Eisteddfod yr Urdd" [Brennig Davies takes the Urdd Eisteddfod Crown]. BBC Cymry Fyw (in Welsh). 31 May 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  20. ↑ "Urdd Eisteddfod crown winner too unwell to attend ceremony". BBC News. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  21. ↑ Eryl Crump (3 June 2017). "Urdd Eisteddfod crown for Elen Gwenllian from Criccieth". North Wales Live. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  22. ↑ Sion Morgan (29 May 2015). "Brennig Davies yn cipio Coron Eisteddfod yr Urdd". Wales Online. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  23. ↑ "Coroni Dylan Edwards yn Brif Lenor Eisteddfod yr Urdd" [Dylan Edwards crowned Chief Writer at the Urdd Eisteddfod]. BBC Cymry Fyw (in Welsh). 29 May 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  24. ↑ "Coron yr Urdd i Llio Maddocks: Merch 23 oed o Lan Ffestiniog yn ennill yn Y Bala" [Urdd Crown for Llio Maddocks: 23-year-old woman from Llan Ffestiniog wins in Bala]. Golwg360 (in Welsh). 30 May 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  25. ↑ "Coron yr Urdd i ferch o Feirion" [Urdd Crown goes to a girl from Meirion]. BBC Cymry Fyw (in Welsh). 30 May 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  26. ↑ "Guto Dafydd yn Brif Lenor yr Urdd" [Guto Dafydd is the Urdd's Chief Writer]. BBC Cymru Fyw (in Welsh). 31 May 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  27. ↑ Heledd Pritchard (4 June 2012). "Urdd Eisteddfod's 90 years: Winner of Urdd National Eisteddfod Crown announced". ITV News. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
  28. ↑ "Ceredigion woman scoops top Urdd crown prize". BBC News. 4 June 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  29. ↑ "Woman's novel wins 'Crown' award". BBC News. 29 May 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  30. ↑ "Judges recognise value of Dewi's prose". Western Telegraph. 12 June 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  31. ↑ "Gwenno'n ennill ei hail goron" [Gwenno wins her second crown]. BBC Cymru Newyddion (in Welsh). 2 June 2006. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
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