Performing arts graduate and the reigning Miss World England Grace Richardson is currently enjoying the experience of a lifetime as she proudly represents England at the 75th Miss World Festival in Vietnam.

After arriving in Hanoi following a comfortable long-haul flight with Vietnam Airlines, Grace’s feet have barely touched the ground! Since landing, she has been immersed in a packed Miss World schedule alongside more than 100 contestants from around the globe.

Highlights So Far…

One of Grace’s first major appearances was the spectacular Miss World Opening Ceremony, where contestants celebrated Vietnamese culture by taking to the catwalk wearing Vietnam’s beautiful traditional Áo dài.

Grace walked alongside Miss Denmark, marking one of her first international catwalk appearances as Miss World England.

Since then, the contestants have been busy sightseeing exploring the world heritage sight such as Ha long bay , attending official various events, rehearsing and experiencing the culture and hospitality of Vietnam — while forming lifelong  friendships with women representing countries from across the world.

Another highlight for Grace was attending the OMODA & JAECOO launch party in Vietnam, where she had the opportunity to model and pose alongside some of the brands’ latest cars. Here she is with Miss ireland posing with their latest models during the party !  Omoda and Jaecoo are distinct sister brands sharing underlying technology and platforms while targeting different aesthetic preferences and market segment. 

Taking to the Catwalk in Vietnam 

On the 18th August , Grace competed in the highly anticipated Miss World Top Model round, modelling stunning creations by Vietnamese designers.

The fashion event provided another opportunity for Grace to showcase her catwalk skills, with the spectacular Dragon Square providing a stunning backdrop for the Vietnamese fashion showcase.

Grace pictured 3rd in on left !

Grace is no stranger to the runway, having modelled professionally before winning Miss England, but representing her country on an international Miss World catwalk has made the experience particularly special.

Between appearances, events and rehearsals, Grace is sharing the adventure with her roommate, Miss Ireland, Caoimhe Kenny, with the pair making some incredible memories together during their time in Vietnam.

The Best Is Yet to Come… 

There is still plenty more to come for Grace.

One round she is particularly excited about is Miss World Talent, where multitalented Grace will now be showcasing her singing.

Talent played an important part in Grace’s own Miss England journey. She won the Miss England Talent round with her performance of “Never Enough”, helping her on her way to being crowned Miss England.

Now, following her graduation in Performing Arts, Grace is looking forward to performing again — this time representing England on the Miss World stage.

Grace is also excited about the forthcoming Sports round, which she says has “a little twist to it this year”, as well as the Head-to-Head round, where she will have the opportunity to share more about her Beauty With a Purpose project, Every Drop Counts.

R- L Miss World finalists – WALES, ENGLAND NORTHERNIRELAND AND FINLAND READY FOR THE SPORTSROUND

Grace’s Beauty with a Purpose  project focuses on raising awareness of water conservation and the impact our everyday choices — including fashion — can have on the world’s precious water resources.

Beauty With a Purpose has been at the heart of Miss World for decades, and Grace is hoping to use this incredible international platform to take the message behind Every Drop Counts to an even wider audience.

Grace on Her Miss World Experience 

Grace said:

“I have loved absolutely every moment so far in Vietnam. The country and its people are beautiful inside and out; I couldn’t have asked for a better host country.

I am really looking forward to the talent round and am excited to perform again since my graduation! I am also looking forward to the sports round, which has a little twist to it this year, and Head-to-Head, where I will be able to share more about my BWAP project with everyone here!

Overall, this has been an experience of a lifetime and I will forever cherish these memories.”

 

Thank You to Grace’s Supporters 

A special thank you goes to Seasonal Trunk for providing some of the fabulous outfits Grace has been wearing during her Miss World journey, and to Vietnam Airlines for helping Grace begin her adventure with a comfortable journey to Vietnam.

With plenty more events, rehearsals and competition rounds still ahead, Grace’s 75th Miss World story is far from over.

Good luck, Grace — England is behind you! 

Follow @grace.richo and the official Miss England social media channels for more updates from Vietnam.

Could You Follow in Grace’s Footsteps?

Applications are open for the next Miss England competition, offering contestants the opportunity to represent their area, compete for the national crown and potentially go on to represent England at Miss World.

Apply now at by clicking this ENTER NOW 

Future Miss England hopefuls from Manchester are being invited to put their home city in the
spotlight by creating a two-minute social media reel showcasing the places, culture and community they love most.

As part of the Miss England “Explore the Nation” North West round, contestants are invited to
produce a short video highlighting the area they hope to represent, while also sharing more about their own personality, passions and interests.

Two Manchester hopefuls have already impressed with their submissions.
Imani Brandall Morgan, 20, from Greater Manchester, is a student and a member of a world-
class acappella group that achieved second place in the international competition that inspired
the Pitch Perfect films. Her video highlights include visiting Manchester’s library and her
favourite coffee shop and Manchester’s art gallery. Also taking part is Harley Jade Chesworth,
20, a professional make-up artist from Heywood, Greater Manchester. Harley's reel includes
highlights of Canal street and the Hacienda , how it was an iconic nightclub in the 80’s & 90’s before becoming flats in Manchester!

Their videos can be viewed on the Miss England social media platforms and here on these links
Harley favourite bits in Manchester; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uex0ZfYUFY

Imani entry video ; https://youtu.be/WFINRAEPQoE?is=jGVD3s6LuS6YUJo8

Miss England Director Angie Beasley said:

“The Explore the Nation round gives contestants the opportunity to share more about
themselves, their personality and the area they live in. We want to see the places that make
them proud to call Manchester home while allowing their individuality and creativity to shine
through. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate communities across England as well as the women representing them.”

Applications are still open for this year’s Miss Manchester competition, with the winner set to be crowned at MediaCity, Manchester, on Saturday 26 September.

Women aged 16 to 27 who live in Manchester, Lancashire or Cheshire are encouraged to
apply for the opportunity to compete for the Miss England title and the chance to represent England at the Miss World 2027 Festival.

The current Miss England, Grace Richardson, is currently in Vietnam representing England at
the 75th Miss World Festival, where she is competing against contestants from around the globe.

To enter, visit www.missengland.info.

For further information please contact [email protected]

The search is on to find the next Miss England finalists, with the first five contestants now confirmed for the North West Beauty Awards 2026.

Five inspiring  women from across the region have secured their places in this year’s regional final and will now compete for one of three coveted places in the Miss England 2026 Grand Final, which takes place on 17th November 2026 at the prestigious Athena, Leicester.

Meet the first five finalists

Harley Jade Chesworth (21) – Make-up Artist from Manchester Tara Sampson (24) – Police Officer from Chorley Tabitha Bennett (21) – Fashion Student from Mere, CheshireKunwal Nadeem (22) – HR Coordinator from ManchesterLaiba Khursheed (20) – Actress from Cheshire

Top left – Tabitha Bennet from Mere , Tara Sampson from Chorley , Bottom row left Kunwal Nadeem from Manchester , Harley Jade Chesworth from Manchester and Laiba Khusheed from Cheshire

The finalists  are invited to take part in a variety of challenges that make Miss England one of the country’s most unique competitions, rewarding personality, achievements and community involvement alongside confidence.

The contestants will compete in several fast-track rounds, including:

Beauty with a Purpose fundraising challenge in aid of Maggie’s  , Talent Round  , Bare Face Top Model make-up free online competition  & Explore the Nation, showcasing the area where they live . All are invited to take part in the Miss England Sports Round after the presentation on 4th October  , testing fitness, teamwork and determination!

Each challenge offers contestants the opportunity to win awards and fast-track places as they bid to secure a North West title and a place in the national final.

The Miss England organisers are continuing to search for more contestants from across Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cumbria and Cheshire. Successful applicants who attend the remaining auditions will still have the opportunity to qualify for the North West final and compete alongside the finalists already announced.

The North West Beauty Awards winners presentation will take place at MediaCity, Salford, on 26th September 2026, where at least three winners will be crowned to represent the region at the Miss England Grand Final in Leicester.

At the national final, contestants from across England will compete for the prestigious Miss England title, with the winner earning the honour of representing England at the 76th Miss World competition.

Meanwhile, the current Miss England, Grace Richardson from Leicester, is preparing for the biggest competition of her life. Next month, the Performing Arts graduate will travel to Vietnam to represent England at the 75th Miss World Festival, where she will showcase her talent and her Beauty with a Purpose project, Every Drop Counts, on the international stage.

Applications for the remaining North West places are still open, giving more young women the opportunity to follow in Grace’s footsteps and begin their own Miss England journey. To apply , please apply on the Miss England website here 

https://www.missengland.info/enter-competition/

     A Chorley police officer and a Manchester make-up artist were the first two women  to attend the first regional North West  Miss England audition last weekend . Both are hoping to follow in the footsteps of reigning Miss England Grace Richardson who is due to represent England at the 75th Miss World Festival in Vietnam this August- September 5th.  

The search for the next Miss England finalists from the North West officially began at the Park Hall Hotel & Spa in Chorley on Sunday, 5th July, during the Miss Asiana North event which was held as the Park Hall Wedding show in association with Asiana.tv.

Guests attending the wedding show were treated to a special performance by reigning Miss England Grace Richardson, who won the national Talent Award in Miss England before being crowned Miss England last November 2025.

Grace is set to fly next month with Vietnam Airlines to represent England at the 75th Miss World Festival, taking place from 8th August to 5th September 2026.

One of the first contestants in the North West to secure a place in the Miss England semi-finals is Laiba K from Cheshire, a 20-year-old actress who was crowned Miss Asiana North 2026 at the event. The title celebrates Asian culture and provides a direct route into the Miss England competition. Laiba met with former Miss World 2025 finalist Charlotte Grant from Liverpool on the day who was a guest at the event.

Laiba K from Cheshire is now in the Miss England Semi finals and is competing as Miss Asiana North with Charlotte Grant from Liverpool.

Once they qualify they will  be invited to take part in a series of challenge rounds, including the Beauty with a Purpose fundraising competition in aid of Maggie’s, the cancer support charity , a talent round and a sportsround . The highest fundraiser by 26th September will be crowned North West Charity Queen at a special North West presentation at MediaCityUK in Salford, earning a direct place in the Miss England national final. Regional titles including Miss Manchester, Miss Lancashire, and Miss Cheshire will also be awarded before the successful contestants to go on to compete at the Miss England Grand Final on 17th November at Leicester’s historic Athena venue.

Miss England Director Angie Beasley who attended the event said:

“The North West has an incredible track record in Miss England, producing outstanding finalists who have gone on to achieve great success internationally.  In 2021 Jessica Gagen now an Aerospace Engineer represented England at Miss World in Mumbai India and finished in the final 8 of Miss World, winning the title Miss World Europe and Miss United Kingdom after promoting her Beauty with a Purpose initative “Women in  Stem”. which she promoted throughout her reign.  Charlotte Grant and actress who also owns her own cosmetic company called “Charlotte Grant Cosmetics  from Liverpool became the Miss England top fundraiser in 2024 by abseiling down Anfield Stadium and represented England at Miss World in 2025. Last years Miss Manchester Victoria Quinlan also won the National Sportswoman award and the highest fundraiser in the whole contest was Tabitha Bennett from Cheshire has recently been recognised recently at parliament! ” 

Angie Beasley – Director of Miss England since 2002 poses with the first two contestants for the North West regional heat

Now organisers are looking for young women who are passionate about making a difference in their communities, whether through fundraising, talent, sport or charity work or their own projects. With Grace  preparing to represent England at Miss World in Vietnam, promoting her cause ” Every Drop Count” a Water conservation and environment project there’s never been a more exciting time to enter.”

Applications are now open for women aged 16 to 27 who live, work or study anywhere in Greater Manchester, Lancashire or Cheshire. Further auditions will take place throughout July and August and selected applications will be invited to enter.

For more information or to apply, visit www.missengland.info.