Miss England’s withdrawal from Miss World 2025 sparks debate over pageant standards

Miss England 2024, Milla Magee, has pulled out of the Miss World 2025 pageant midway, citing personal and ethical concerns. The 24-year-old arrived in Hyderabad, Telangana, on May 7 but returned to the UK on May 16, cutting short her participation in the global beauty contest.

In her absence, Charlotte Grant, the runner-up for Miss England, has travelled to India to represent the country for the remainder of the competition. A representative from the Miss World Organisation confirmed her arrival.

Magee shared her reasons in an interview with British tabloid The Sun, expressing disappointment with the pageant’s environment. She said it did not align with her understanding of the competition’s slogan, “beauty with a purpose.” Contestants were reportedly required to wear makeup at all times and remain in ball gowns throughout the day, including during breakfast.

“The tipping point came when they were allegedly asked to socialise with middle-aged men as a gesture of appreciation for their financial contributions to the event,” The Sun reported.

In response to the claims, Julia Morley, Chairman and CEO of the Miss World Organisation, issued a statement disputing the narrative. “Earlier this month, Milla Maggie requested to leave the competition due to a reported family emergency involving her mother’s health. We responded to Milla’s situation with compassion and immediately arranged her return to England, placing the well-being of the contestant and her family first.

“Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that certain UK media outlets have published false and defamatory statements, allegedly made by Milla Maggie, regarding her experience in India. These claims are completely unfounded and inconsistent with the reality of her time with us,” the statement added.

Despite the controversy, England will remain represented at the pageant through Charlotte Grant. The Miss World Organisation has not announced any further investigation into the matter but maintains that the integrity of the competition remains intact.