Spanish model Mireia Lalaguna Royo was crowned Miss World 2015 after beating 113 contestants from across the globe on Saturday night in the island province of Hainan, China.
The pharmacy student from Barcelona, claimed the illustrious crown after winning over the contest’s judges during the 65th edition of the world famous pageant in the provincial capital of Sanya.
“Without the love I received from all of the people I have met here, and from all of the people wishing me well and supporting me at home, I would never have gotten to this point,” said the Spanish queen, according to a statement released by the event’s organisers.
“I want to show them and the world that I am deserving of the Miss World title and I hope to do everyone proud.”
Russian Sofia Nikitchuk was the first runner up of the pageant, while the third place went to Indonesia’s Maria Harfanti.
However, there are controversies regarding the contest. Last month, officials in Hong Kong stopped Miss Canada, Anastasia Lin, from boarding a plane bound for Sanya, telling her she would not receive a visa.
The 25-year old actress claimed the decision was due to her stance on China’s human rights record, including its persecution of Falun Gong, a Chinese spiritual group of which she is a practitioner.