Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico was crowned Miss World 2016 on Sunday, edging out runners-up from the Dominican Republic and Indonesia winning the top prize in the 66th edition of the pageant held this year in the United States.

Del Valle, 19, is a brown-eyed brunette student who speaks Spanish, English and French, and hopes to get into the entertainment industry.</s>Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico was crowned Miss World 2016 on Sunday, edging out runners-up from the Dominican Republic and Indonesia winning the top prize in the 66th edition of the pageant held this year in the United States.

Del Valle, 19, is a brown-eyed brunette student who speaks Spanish, English and French, and hopes to get into the entertainment industry.

Crowned by Miss World 2015 Mireia Lalaguna of Spain, Del Valle called it an "honor and a great responsibility" to represent her Caribbean homeland. She becomes the second titleholder from the island after Wilnelia Merced won the title in 1975.

First runner-up of the 2016 edition of the pageant held at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, was Yaritza Miguelina Reyes Ramirez of the Dominican Republic, followed by Miss World Indonesia Natasha Mannuela. Contestants from more than 100 countries took part in the 2016 edition of the beauty pageant.

Miss Philippines Catriona Elisa Gray and Miss Kenya Evelyn Njambi also made it to the final five.

Puerto Rico becomes the 17th country with multiple winners since Miss World started in 1951.

Living up to the national stereotype, the first two title holders were both Swedish. Since then a further 34 nationalities have been victorious, with the UK (5), India (5), the US (3), Jamaica (3), Iceland (3), Germany (2) and Australia (2) all providing multiple winners.

Canada's Miss World representative, Chinese-born Anastasia Lin was embroiled in a controversy when pageant officials reportedly warned her against speaking to the press for three weeks about human rights abuses in China . She was given the green light again on Wednesday.

Last year, China blocked Lin from attending the same contest when it was held in the city of Sanya.

none of the UK representatives at the contest made it to the top 20. England was represented by 20-year-old psychology student Elizabeth Grant, Northern Ireland by 21-year-old psychology student Emma Carswell, Scotland by 19-year-old student Lucy Kerr and Wales by 23-year-old health and beauty consultant Ffion Georgina Moyle.</s>Stephanie del Valle of Puerto Rico was crowned Miss World 2016 on Sunday, edging out runners-up from the Dominican Republic and Indonesia, and beauties from around the globe.

Del Valle, 19, is a brown-eyed brunette student who speaks Spanish, English and French, and hopes to get into the entertainment industry.

Crowned by Miss World 2015 Mireia Lalaguna of Spain, del Valle called it an "honour and a great responsibility" to represent her Caribbean homeland.

First runner-up was Yaritza Miguelina Reyes Ramirez of the Dominican Republic, followed by Miss World Indonesia Natasha Mannuela.

Contestants from Kenya and the Philippines also were in the final five.</s>OXON HILL: Stephanie del Valle of Puerto Rico was crowned Miss World 2016, edging out runners-up from the Dominican Republic and Indonesia, and beauties from around the globe.

Del Valle, 19, is a brown-eyed brunette student who speaks Spanish, English and French, and hopes to get into the entertainment industry.

Crowned on Sunday by Miss World 2015 Mireia Lalaguna of Spain, del Valle called it an “honor and a great responsibility” to represent her Caribbean homeland.

First runner-up was Yaritza Miguelina Reyes Ramirez of the Dominican Republic, followed by Miss World Indonesia Natasha Mannuela.

Contestants from Kenya and Catriona Gray of the Philippines also were in the final five.

Canada’s Miss World representative, Chinese-born Anastasia Lin was embroiled in a controversy when pageant officials reportedly warned her against speaking to the press for three weeks about human rights abuses in China. She was given the green light again on Wednesday.

Last year, China blocked Lin from attending the same contest when it was held in the city of Sanya. AFP</s>Miss Kenya Evelyn Njambi during the Grand Final of the Miss World 2016 pageant at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland on December 18, 2016. PHOTO | ZACH GIBSON | AFP

Miss Kenya won hearts during her question and answer session, when asked what could be done to improve education in the world.

The country has participated almost every year since 1963. Regal and resplendent in red, Kenya’s queen took her place of pride in the pageant whose finals were held in Maryland in Washington, DC, watched by a live audience and broadcast to millions across the world.

Miss Kenya, Evelyne Njambi, has made history by becoming the first Kenyan to be named among the top five in the world’s most glamorous and prestigious beauty pageant.

The 22-year-old interior design student also became the second East African to hold the Miss World Africa title in over a decade. Nancy Sumari of Tanzania was the first holder, in the region, of the continental title in 2005. During that year, Ms Sumari came in sixth overall.

Kenya has participated almost every year since 1963. Regal and resplendent in red, Kenya’s queen took her place of pride in the pageant whose finals were held in Maryland in Washington DC, watched by a live audience and broadcast to millions across the world.

Miss Kenya won hearts during her question-and-answer session, when asked what could be done to improve education in the world. Ms Njambi, quoting Nelson Mandela confidently answered, “We should begin by empowering every child in the world to understand that education is important. Former South African President Nelson Mandela said that it (education) is the weapon they should use to face the future.

“So let’s first educate our parents that education is important and then we will have all children on board that education is important to achieve their dreams,” she concluded to a rapturous reception.

While the overall title and the crown went to Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico, Miss Kenya was three times the queen when she made a strong showing in the top model and the beauty with a purpose categories to emerge the fifth overall.

Overcome with emotion, Ms Njambi said she was thrilled by her win. “I am humbled and greatly honoured to have been the one representing not only my beautiful country Kenya, but Africa too to finish in the top five! I attribute my success to God’s unfailing love and grace!” she said.

Ms Njambi’s stellar performance at the world stage comes soon after Mr Kenya, Kevin Owiti, emerged fourth in the men’s pageant. Both results are no mean feats as Kenya competes against countries who take years to groom their models for the pageant spending a lot of money in the process for their chance at glory.

Miss World finals are a month-long affair and judging starts from the moment the beauties arrive for the event. The contestants are subjected to interviews with the judges, who grill them to see what they are truly made of and that their beauty is not just skin deep.

Since the inception of Miss World in 1951, African beauties have taken the title and crown five times; South Africa in 1958, 1974, and 2014, Nigeria in 2001 and Egypt 1954.</s>There was to be no third crown for Preston’s Miss World contestant as she missed out on the final 20 last night in Washington DC.

Elizabeth Grant, from Ribbleton, represented the country at the biggest beauty contest on the planet, having already won the title of Miss Preston and Miss England.

The 20-year-old said: “I am extremely proud of everything the ladies in the competition have accomplished.”

The competition was eventually won by Puerto Rico's Stephanie Del Valle.</s>The 19-year-old law and communications student said it was an "honor and a great responsibility" to represent her country.

The first runner-up was Yaritza Miguelina Reyes Ramirez of the Dominican Republic, followed by second runner-up Natasha Mannuela from Indonesia.

The top five finalists also included Evelyn Njambi Thungu from Kenya, and Catriona Elisa Gray from the Philippines.

Contestants from more than 100 countries took part in the Miss World beauty pageant, held at National Harbor near Washington, D.C.</s>FILIPINOS will get to watch the Miss World 2016 Pageant on GMA Network at 8 a.m. today via delayed telecast.

Representing the Philippines is Catriona Gray who is currently doing extremely well in the said competition.

She emerged in the Top 10 ranking for the talent competition and is also a strong contender for the Beauty with a Purpose prize.Moreover, she is favored to win the crown by many pageant sites around the world.

Meanwhile, the Philippines’ first and only Miss World titleholder to date, Megan Lynne Young, will host the pageant in Washington DC, USA.

FILIPINOS will get to watch the Miss World 2016 Pageant on GMA Network at 8 a.m. today via delayed telecast.

Representing the Philippines is Catriona Gray who is currently doing extremely well in the said competition.

She emerged in the Top 10 ranking for the talent competition and is also a strong contender for the Beauty with a Purpose prize.Moreover, she is favored to win the crown by many pageant sites around the world.

Meanwhile, the Philippines’ first and only Miss World titleholder to date, Megan Lynne Young, will host the pageant in Washington DC, USA.</s>Miss World contestant Elizabeth Grant carries the hopes of a nation into tomorrow’s final.

And despite the chance of global stardom she just wants to make Preston proud.

The 20-year-old from Ribbleton will have a small army of supporters cheering her on in Washington DC as she takes on 129 other girls in the biggest beauty contest on the planet.

“I feel so blessed over here,” she said. “I want to do you all proud, I can’t wait to share my stories with you back home.”

Proud boyfriend Curtis Haley said before jetting out to the States yesterday to watch the contest: “Lizzy is a strong woman so I know fully in my heart that she is going to do herself justice in the finals this Sunday.

“We have been watching her every move on social media so it feels like we are actually there with her.

“It’s still such a surreal feeling that my girlfriend is Miss England, never mind the possibility of her being Miss World.

“Lizzy is feeling calm but also has the obvious jitters and nerves of the coming final. However, no matter what the outcome of Sundays final I’m sure that she will be proud and accomplished of what she has achieved this year.

“We are all so proud of her and wish her the best of luck.”

Dad Des Grant, who will be in Washington to support his daughter, said on social media: “The stakes couldn’t be higher peeps. Preston lass and current Miss England Elizabeth Grant is now competing for the top crown of Miss World 2016.”

Fellow beauty queen Charlotte Louise White (Miss Hertfordshire) sent a message to Elizabeth on Facebook saying: “Elizabeth you have won over our hearts with your down to earth charm and beauty.

“I am so proud of you to represent England and can’t wait to watch you. You are a credit to the Miss England organisation and I can’t wait to see on that stage!

“You got this girl, you’re the girl to bring back the Miss World crown.”

Staff and patients at Derian House Children’s Hospice - Elizabeth’s chosen charity - sent a video message saying: “It’s a big day for our stunning ambassador Miss World/England Elizabeth Grant on Sunday as she competes for the title of Miss World 2016 in Washington DC. We wish her all the very best of luck!” ❤️

Win or not, the final will cap a staggering 2016 for the university student.

She was only crowned Miss Preston back in April after being talent-spotted while out shopping in the city.

In July she beat 49 other girls to the title of Miss England in Southport’s Floral Hall - the win that booked her ticket to the US and tomorrow’s big final.

Sadly for thousands of fans back home in the UK, the Miss World Final is not being broadcast on national television.

London audiences will be able to see it on London Live. But everyone else outside the capital will have to tune in via the internet, logging on to LondonLive.co.uk and selecting “Watch Live” during the show (8.30pm to 11pm).
Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico is named as Miss World 2016.