Miss Spain crowned Miss World 2015

Miss Spain Mireia Lalaguna Royo (centre) receives the crown from 2014 winner Rolene Strauss of South Africa (rear), as she is flanked by second-placed Miss Russia Sofia Nikitchuk (left) and third-placed Miss Indonesia Maria Harfanti, during the Miss World 2015 pageant in Sanya, Hainan province, China, last week – REUTERS

Miss Spain Mireia Lalaguna Royo was crowned winner of Miss World 2015 at the Beauty Crown Grand Theatre in Sanya, China last week.

The winner was announced to a television audience of around 1 billion people.

The top 5 finalists were Miss Russia Sofia Nikitchuk, Miss Lebanon Valerie Abou Chacra, Miss Spain Mireia Lalaguna Royo, Miss Indonesia Maria Harfanti, and Miss Jamaica Sanneta Myrie.

In third place, was Miss Indonesia and second place went to Miss Russia.

Miss Lalaguna Royo takes over the crown from the 2014 winner Rolene Strauss of South Africa.

Mireia says that music and travelling are the pillars of her happiness. A skilled pianist she studied up to grade 8 in Musical Language, Harmony and Piano at the Conservatory of the Lyceum of Barcelona, and she has travelled extensively over Europe and the Far East.

The pageant has not been without controversy. It took place in China today without the Canadian contestant.

Anastasia Lin, who was born in China, was crowned Miss World Canada in May. She was denied a Chinese visa after criticising China’s human rights record when she appeared before the US Congress.

Miss World is the oldest surviving beauty pageant. It was intended to be a one-off event as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations in 1951.

Miss Sweden, Kiki Haakonson, carried off the first Miss World title in the Lyceum Ballroom in London that year.