Northamptonshire teenager bids for Miss World spot
A 19-year-old from West Northamptonshire who entered the Miss England competition "for a laugh" is in now in the national final after winning the competition's Miss Talent title.
Ques-li De Bruin said she never imagined a joke in her family’s WhatsApp group would lead to a place in the Miss England grand final.
But the Northamptonshire girl is now just a week away from competing for one of the country’s best-known pageant titles, with the winner earning the opportunity to represent England at Miss World in Tanzania next year.
The competition, which forms part of the international Miss World organisation, places a strong emphasis on charity and social impact through its Beauty with a Purpose initiative.
For Ques-li, the journey began after her mum heard an advert for Miss England contestants on the radio and jokingly suggested the she'd enter.
“I was bored and thought, why not? I won’t get anywhere, but it’ll be a laugh,” she said.
With no previous pageant experience and no glamorous wardrobe ready, she said she found herself borrowing outfits from practically the whole town.
At the semi-finals in Leicester, she confessed she was sure she would not progress, standing at the back of the stage cheering on the other contestants as the awards were announced.
Then her contestant number was called.
Ques-li won the title of Miss Talent 2026, securing her place in the grand final.
“I couldn’t even get my feet to move to receive my award!” she said.
Now she is hoping to go one step further and take the Miss England crown.
The winner will join contestants from across the world at Miss World, which brings together representatives from almost 100 countries.
She is using her platform to raise awareness and funds for Ewing Sarcoma research, following the devastating impact of the disease on a relative in her family.
The teenager has launched a fundraising appeal in support of the Bone Cancer Research Trust, hoping to help fund vital research and improve outcomes for those affected.
She said “To witness the effects of cancer on a child, as well as on their family, is devastating. It’s something no family should ever have to go through."
“Being able to raise awareness and funds for research, and hopefully make a difference to other families facing something similar, would mean so much to me.”
She said the experience has also taught her to embrace her personality rather than feel she needs to change to fit in.
Describing herself as loud, outgoing and a little different, she said she had sometimes worried about being “too much” for people.
Supported by her family in both the UK and South Africa, Ques-li is now preparing for the final.
Her advice to other young women is simple, “Be loud, be ambitious, be different, and most importantly, be unapologetically yourself.”
And reflecting on the unlikely start to her pageant journey, she added “You never know what you’re capable of until you’re brave enough to try.”
To support Ques-li’s fundraising appeal for Ewing sarcoma research, visit: