Grace Richardson, a 20-year-old musical theatre student from Leicester, has made history by becoming the first openly gay woman to be crowned Miss England. The announcement was made during the pageant finals held on November 21, 2025, in Wolverhampton.
Richardson, who came out at age 15, revealed that she faced homophobic bullying in school but has since embraced her identity and used her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ representation. In her victory speech, she highlighted the importance of visibility, stating that her win sends a message to young LGBTQ+ people that they, too, can succeed in spaces traditionally seen as heteronormative.
Her win not only breaks longstanding pageant traditions but also expands the definition of beauty and representation in the UK’s most prestigious national pageant.
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As Miss England 2025, Richardson will now go on to represent England at Miss World 2026, carrying with her a message of inclusion and empowerment.
The pageant organisers welcomed her win, praising Richardson for her confidence, talent, and commitment to social advocacy, describing it as a historic moment for Miss England.
