Contestants for Miss World 2019 posed for photos in front of London’s Tower Bridge on Nov. 21 ahead of the final ceremony on Dec. 14.
Hopefuls from 120 countries around the world braced England’s winter temperatures to take part in a photo call in the heart of the city.
United States contestant Emmy Cuvelier said the competition still held relevance in the modern world.
“Now, Miss World especially looks at a woman’s heart, not just their outer beauty. They’re looking at all of the things that make you you, including your heart and what you’re willing to do for others,” Cuvelier told Reuters.
Mexico’s Vanessa Ponce, who took the crown last year, had some tips for this year’s entrants.
“You have to be very hardworking because it’s a very intense job, it’s not something easy,” she said.
China has hosted the ceremony for the past two years but this year the pageant returned to its birthplace, the United Kingdom.
The Miss World pageant was founded in 1951 as part of the ‘Festival of Britain’ celebrations and this year will mark its 69th anniversary.
The final ceremony will take place at ExCel London on Saturday, Dec. 14.
