Leicestershire , Derbyshire , Northamptonshire

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Grace Richardson to Lead Miss Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Derbyshire heats for Miss England !

Reigning Miss England Grace Richardson is taking on a new role as organiser of the Miss Leicestershire contest, marking a special full-circle moment for the county.

A proud Leicestershire representative, Grace has experienced the competition journey first-hand – from county level to winning the initially the Miss Leicestershire & Miss England titles and then the Miss England crown and now representing England on the world stage at the next Miss World! 

“To go from competing  to organising  as Miss England feels incredibly special — it’s a privilege to give back,” says Grace.
The Miss Leicestershire contest will take place in July, with applications now open. Successful contestants will go on to represent the county at the Miss England competition.
Apply now via the Miss England website.

 

 

Event details

Date
July 12, 2026

Venue
The Pumping Station Cropston

Organiser
Grace Richardson

 The Story Behind the Iconic Miss England Crown

6 days ago

The Miss England crown is far more than a sparkling accessory — it is a powerful symbol of heritage, identity, and the evolution of one of the nation’s most recognised beauty competitions.

 A Crown is Born

Blog by Angie Beasley- Director Miss England since 2002

Jackie Turner – Miss Dorset and winner of Miss England 2003

The bespoke Miss England crown first took centre stage in 2003, when Miss Dorset Jackie Turner became the first winner to wear it. From that moment, the crown established itself as a defining emblem of the title — instantly recognisable and uniquely British.
At its heart lies the St George’s Cross, delicately set in diamantés. This striking feature not only represents England but went on to inspire the official Miss England logo in 2004, cementing its place in the brand’s identity.
 
Handcrafted Heritage
Each Miss England winner receives her own handmade crown to remember their time as the winner, crafted by a London-based jewellery designer — the very same artisan behind pieces featured in Netflix’s The Crown. This connection adds a layer of prestige and craftsmanship, linking the competition to a wider legacy of British design excellence.
While the size and shape may have subtly evolved over the years, the core design has remained unchanged, preserving its iconic look while adapting to modern tastes.
 
When Bigger Wasn’t Better
By 2019, conversations around the crown began to shift.

NHS Doctor Bhasha Mukherjee adjusts the heavier crown on the night she won .

“More recent winners felt the crown was slightly too bulky & uncomfortable so I spoke to the designer about it”  said director Angie Beasley. “ After discussing it with some of the more recent winners , it began to look far too big and heavy and actually could cause a  headache after wearing which isn’t the idea ! I wanted the winners to feel comfortable wearing it with it being handmade but the original crown is quite heavy ! ”
The crown, once designed to make a bold statement on stage, had slightly grown in size over time — but practicality and elegance became a new priority.
Replica Crowns for Miss England  Finalists 
Back in 2012, the organiser introduced a special touch for finalists. In collaboration with a Chinese tiara maker, smaller replica lightweight crowns were produced so that every finalist could take home a piece of the Miss England experience.

The replica crown made in China was used for Miss England finalists from around 2012 onwards until just before the pandemic

While these replicas tiaras were not handcrafted like the winner’s crown, they became treasured keepsakes — a symbol of achievement and participation, something the organisers would like to maybe one day bring back in future with the right sponsorship as import costs alone is now very pricey!
💫
A New Era of Elegance
The refined, smaller handmade winners crown officially debuted in 2025, worn for the first time by reigning

Miss England Grace Richardson. Grace said  “l love the smaller bespoke crown – lightweight, comfortable to wear on appearances and so much more elegant!” 👑

This updated version brought back balance — combining elegance, comfort, and timeless design.
🔮 Looking Ahead
As Miss England continues to evolve, so too may the crown. Adjustments in size and style are always considered — but one element will remain forever:
The St George’s Cross at its centre.
A symbol of national pride, unity, and tradition — ensuring that no matter how the crown changes, its identity will always stay true to its roots.

Grace Richardson wearing the crown with pride in March 2026 whilst in India

From Jackie Turner to Grace Richardson, the Miss England crown continues to shine — not just as a prize, but as a legacy worn with pride.
Connect with Angie Beasley on Linkedin
Ends

Reigning Miss England Grace Richardson to Lead Miss Leicestershire Derbyshire & Northamptonshire Contest

2 months ago

Reigning Miss England Grace Richardson is set to take on a new leadership role as organiser of the Miss Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Derbyshire contests, marking a proud and symbolic full-circle moment for both the county and the Miss England organisation.

Grace, who is from Leicestershire, who won the Miss East Midlands title before winning the place in Miss World becomes the first reigning Miss England titleholder to step directly into an organising role.

Her appointment reflects her own journey through the competition, from county contestant to national titleholder and now Miss World finalist.

Speaking about her new role, Grace said:
“To go from competing for Miss Leicestershire to organising it as Miss England feels incredibly special — it’s a privilege to give back.”

Grace Richardson is only the second contestant from Leicestershire to represent England at Miss World, the first being Sally Kettle in 2002 when she represented England in South Africa.

In November Grace returned the county to the national spotlight and underlined the strength of Leicestershire contestants on the Miss England stage.

Miss England Director Angie Beasley, who has supported and guided Leicestershire contestants in the Miss World qualifyer for over three decades, says the handover feels particularly fitting.

“Grace understands the platform, the responsibility and the opportunity it gives young women,” says Angie Beasley . “She’s lived the experience herself and is perfectly placed to lead Miss Leicestershire into its next chapter.”

The next Miss Leicestershire contest which is a triple crown contest incorporating a Miss Derbyshire & Miss Northamptonshire qualifer will take place in July, at the Pumping station Cropston with applications now open to young women aged 16-27 across all three counties. The event will incorporate a fundraising element – raising awareness and funds for the UHUMANS & Vayyu foundation in Kenya .

The three winners will go on to represent their respective counties at the Miss England competition.

For more details about the event and to get involved as a sponsor please email [email protected]

Applications can be made via the Miss England website.

www.missengland.info

Grace Richardson

Grace Richardson who represented the East Midlands and won the Miss England 2025 title is representing England at the 73rd Miss World competition, carrying a modern message of talent, resilience, inclusion and purpose onto the international stage. Grace was crowned the winner of Miss England in November 2025 at the Grand Station Wolverhampton. Training to be a performer with a strong background in ballet, vocal performance and live stage work, Grace
embodies a new era of British pageantry — one that values authenticity, adaptability and social impact alongside elegance and confidence. Grace was sponsored by the Champagne Man in the 2025 competition & won the talent round in Miss England showcasing her ballet and singing !

Photos by Alan Strutt