Grace Richardson has made history after being crowned Miss England 2025, becoming the first openly gay woman to win the national title in the competition’s 96-year history.
The 20-year-old musical theatre student from Leicester secured the crown at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton on 21 November, following a competitive two-day final that saw the field narrowed from 30 contestants, to 12, and finally to the top three.
Grace impressed judges across multiple rounds, most notably winning the Talent category with a live performance of Never Enough, accompanied by a ballet dancer. The routine drew a standing ovation and helped secure her place in the final stages.
Her victory marks an important step for LGBTQ+ visibility within UK pageantry. Grace came out as gay at 15 after posting a TikTok video during lockdown. On returning to school, she faced bullying, negative comments and incidents that severely affected her confidence.
“I’m proud to show people who I am,” she said after her win. “I was bullied when I first came out, so to be applauded for my openness now means everything. If sharing my story helps even one person feel braver, it’s worth it.”
Grace’s Miss England journey has been driven by resilience. After winning Miss Leicestershire 2024, she reached the national final that year but did not place in the top 12 — a setback she described as “heartbreaking.” Determined to try again, she won Miss East Midlands 2025, earning a fast-track spot into this year’s national final.
Alongside the competition rounds, all 40 finalists raised money for Beauty with a Purpose, the Miss World charity, collectively generating £42,000. Grace’s own project, Every Drop Counts, focuses on tackling the global water crisis and promoting sustainability within schools and community groups.
“I want to keep building on the work I’ve already started,” she said. “Miss England is just the beginning.”
Richardson will now go on to represent England at Miss World 2026, where she hopes to expand her advocacy and continue sharing her story with a global audience.
Her win has been celebrated widely in Leicester — a city that has not held the Miss England crown since 2001. “I feel so proud to bring it home,” she said. “My community has supported me throughout this journey. This feels like a win for all of us.”
