Throughout Miss World’s 75-year-run, two winners have been officially replaced by their 1st Runners-Up. The record case would be Germany’s Gabriela Brum, who reigned for merely 18 hours, making it the shortest in the contest’s history.

The precursor six years prior was just as uproarious, if not more. Helen Elizabeth Morgan entered the 1974 edition to astronomic hype, having placed Miss Universe 1st Runner-Up in Manila months prior. As expected, she moved up one spot and captured the United Kingdom’s third Blue Crown, or so everyone thought. Just four days later, the Welsh beauty stepped down after exposing that she’s, in fact, a married mom. Much as that wouldn’t have been an issue now, the fact remains it was forbidden then. 

Thankfully, that didn’t hinder Sarah-Jane Hutt from capturing what’s technically the fourth crown nine years later. She’s the last British titleholder to date and, for that matter, the last Miss United Kingdom ever. Since the turn of the New Millennium, the four constituent countries joined in the UK’s stead and they’ve all yet to win. 

Also missing lately are two-time champs Austria (1969 and 1987) and, quite understandably, Russia (1992 and 2008). Three-time champ Iceland (1985, 1988, and 2005) was last seen after its last placement in 2021. 

Yet despite the rough history and current no-shows, Europe remains most decorated continent. In fact, it started its post-pandemic run with Poland and Czech Republic marking their second victories and previous non-winners reaching record highs.

This year, it enters the race with the highest number of contenders at 32. This includes three-time champ Sweden (1951-1952, 1977); two-time champ Netherlands (1959, 1962); and one-shots France (1953), Finland (1957), Greece (1996), Ireland (2003), Gibraltar (2009), and Spain (2015). At the minimum, another podium finish is foreseen. 

Here are this year’s Euro-contenders:  

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ALBANIA – Alba Tirtja. Had the 2003 edition followed recent formats, Denisa Kola technically should have placed, as she won Miss World Scholarship – BWAP’s spiritual precursor. Sadly, the country’s still struggling to power through 23 years later, but, props to this medical student for advancing in Sports.

BELGIUM – Olga Lombardo. The country won the first Mister World 30 years ago, but it’s always been hit-or-miss here. This Gabonese-born future pharmacist nearly bagged Top Model and has been a leaving strong impression throughout. We need them to be sure about her, for a change. She also made the cut in Multimedia.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – Lana Jahić. 30 years since its debut and the former Yugolsav nation’s so far only managed to place once. The lovely teen has the looks worthy of bucking that trend, but she’s so far overlooked outside Talent.

BULGARIA – Tsevetelina Lozanova. The Land of the Roses hasn’t achieved much since its 1995 semi-finalist, Evgenia Kalkandzhieva. But looking at this reality TV star’s People’s Choice standing, she just might rally for a slot.

CROATIA – Ema Helena Vičar. Long before its 90s heyday, Croatians have actually excelled here under the Yugoslavia sash from 1966 1st Runner-Up Nikita Marinovic to 1986 semi-finalist Ana Sasso. This Monaco-based entrepreneur isn’t expected to restore those fortunes, though that BWAP nod raises her stakes.

CZECH REPUBLIC – Linda Górecká. In what’s anticipated to be another watershed year for the Czechs, here comes another goddess. Sure, she only qualified for Top Model, but bear in mind: so did Karolina Bielawska before she won. And if there’s any reason why she’s seen in many photographs with Julia Morley, it’d be hard to bet against that.

DENMARK – Josephine Bøttger. That Miss Universe win feels anomalous now, doesn’t it? But this ballerina deserves just as much fanfare here, with her classic Nordic beauty and Beauty with a Purpose nod. A placement should be gloriously emblematic: Her compatriot, Pia Rosenberg-Larsen finished second 40 years ago.

ENGLAND – Grace Richardson. Three English women have worn the Blue Crown under the Union Jack. As a constituent country, however, it had to wait until 2011 to place and 2017 to even come close to winning. Well, this singer’s now the first Brit in this year, thanks to her Talent victory. Prior to that, she also made headlines as her country’s first openly gay contestant.

FINLAND – Kila Huutoniemi. The former pageant powerhouse enjoyed sporadic success since winning in 1957, but has placed only once since 1993. This business student qualified in Sports but the drought might still prevail.

FRANCE – Indira Ampiot. This pageant year’s shaping up to be Revenge of the Miss Universe Alumnae: French Edition, thus far, with 2025’s Eve Gilles placing second in Miss Supranational early last month. Now, we have this entrepreneur from the class of 2024, already earning her spot via Top Model, replete with Designer Dress Award. She’s another example of a BWAP placement being the bonus, and not the lifeline.

GERMANY – Julia Kühnle. It’s been 70 years since the late Petra Schurmann won the crown for the then-divided country. Yet it has so far managed to place only once post-reunification and, more tellingly, post-Gabriela Brum. It’s interesting to see a half-Japanese taking a shot. And, with her double Fast Track victory, she’s now the second German to make the cut since 1980.

GIBRALTAR – Julia Horne. At this point, Kaiane Aldroino’s 2009 win is hardly a fluke, given how the territory placed twice since. Now, Placement #4 seems a lock with this multiple Fast Track placer, who shared Cooking Challenge honors with Venezuela and is presumably Europe’s People’s Choice champ.

GREECE – Mikaela Kasari. Irene Skliva won 30 years ago, but the country’s only placed once since. This business administration student has her merits, but is so far overlooked.

HUNGARY – Janka Végvári. Since Edina Kulcsar finished 1st Runner-Up in 2014, two more Magyars have earned their due. Lack of Fast Track placements aside, this student deserves to add to that tally.

IRELAND – Caoimhe Kenny. The Emerald Isle wasn’t always under the radar after Rosanna Davison’s reign as it did send major contenders in 2010 and even last year. This buying assistant qualified for Sports and Talent, but isn’t pegged as a serious contender.

ITALY – Lucrezia Mangili. Since time immemorial, pageant victory has always evaded the Italian sash. Here, it was 2000’s Giorgia Palmas who nearly bucked the trend by finishing second to Priyanka Chopra. This future journalist may be no heavy favorite, but she evokes the archetypal classic beauty her homeland is celebrated for. If Top Model were any indication, she could easily sneak in.  

KOSOVO – Blair Isufi. Thus far, this seems to be an auspicious return for this disputed nation, which saw action here in 2013 and 2014, to no success. This Connecticut-based marketing manager might just secure what her predecessors couldn’t. She was a European finalist for Top Model.

LATVIA – Milana Smolara. Aside from being the first former Soviet republic to compete independently, it also curiously debuted with USSR itself in 1989. This nail technician was the last European to arrive, but by no means the last-placer, looks-wise. Votes-wise, that’s a different story. Look at her standing. Let’s just hope she salvages enough high marks.

MALTA – Nicole Spiteri. 1999’s swimsuit location wasn’t exactly a late bloomer – it scored its first placement 30 years prior. This social worker reflects the improved calibre we’ve seen in recent years. She’s a Top Model qualifier, who’s also gathering steam in People’s Choice.

MONTENEGRO – Maša Vukićević. Hoping to sustain last year’s breakthrough is this psychology student who passed muster in Top Model. It should be a timely milestone, given that it’s been 20 years since both her country’s declaration of independence and debut. But then, nothing’s set in stone. 

NETHERLANDS – Charlotte Boonstra. As Holland, the Lowlands scored two wins in the contest’s early years, but hasn’t placed over the last 10. It’s hard to gauge this multi-hyphenate’s prospects, though her Sports and Top Model citations might count.

NORTH MACEDONIA – Eva Velichkovska. A Macedonian did, in fact, place once, albeit under the Yugoslavia sash in 1975. As an independent nation, however, it has yet to catch a break 30 years on, whether as Macedonia FYRO or under its current name. This lovely student placed in Sports, but her overall fate remains uncertain.

NORTHERN IRELAND – Amelie Moore. Outside of Anna Leitch’s 2021 record finish, the UK’s lone non-Brit often manages to sneak in, and almost often quietly. Given this student’s Sports runner-up finish, the possibility still exists. Take note: possibility, not certainty.  

POLAND – Maja Todd. From the homeland of 2021’s titleholder and last year’s Miss World Europe comes this breathtaking business student. As it stands, her Fast Track placements already vindicate her from Miss International 2025. It’s her overall prospects that remain hazy.  

PORTUGAL – Vitória Babinetchi. The Land of Explorers placed 2nd Runner-Up in 1971, but it’s made the cut merely twice since. Quadruple Fast Track citations aside, it’s still tough to assess this gymnast’s prospects.

SCOTLAND – Eilidh MacDonald. 25 years ago, the country became the first UK constituent to place, thanks to 2001’s 2nd Runner-Up Juliet-Jane Horne. Much as the Scots have been overtaken since, this Amy Adams clone seems to have a shot at restoring the country’s fortunes, given her Head to Head and Multimedia placements. Could there be room for another Brit?

SERBIA – Simona Manojlović. Just like Montenegro, it’s been 20 years since the country both gained independence and debuted as a sash, though Serbians have made marks under the Yugoslav mantle. Thus ecology student isn’t talked about, but then again, neither was her predecessor. That one placed out of nowhere.

SLOVENIA – Amadea Zupan. 34 years since debuting and there’s no breakthrough yet in sight. This medical doctor made the cut in Sports, though.

SPAIN – Elisabeth Reynés. Given how Spanish stunners don’t always earn their due, it’s surprising Mireia Lalaguna even won in 2015. Given that track record, this Head to Head qualifier can literally go from rightfully making the cut to unjustly being ignored. Let’s hope it’s the former, as she just made the cut in both BWAP and Multimedia. 

SWEDEN – Bianca Lindström. Remember, it all began with that two-peat in 1951 and 1952. Unfortunately, the Scandinavian kingdom has yet to make a splash in the New Normal and this radiography student isn’t pegged to be the first.

UKRAINE – Valeriia Lisovska. 2001’s Oleksandra Nikolayenko made a mark, but it was Maria Melnychenko who scored a record high for her war-torn country last year. She almost won Miss World Europe.  This international relations student is just as stunning, with the Top Model and BWAP placements to boot. Granted the judges don’t rattle us too much, a three-peat placement might be in store.

WALES – Helena Hawke. Welsh beauties have worn the Blue Crown before – yes, even Helen Morgan, even if she reigned for only four days. As a standalone nation, it took 2012’s Sophie Moulds to almost win and last year’s Millie-Mae Adams to top the UK contingent anew.  This air cadet remains of worthy calibre, but the lack of buzz makes a streak doubtful.

ALREADY IN: GERMANY, ENGLAND, FRANCE

TOP 40-WORTHY: BELGIUM, CZECH REPUBLIC, DENMARK, GIBRALTAR, ITALY, KOSOVO, NETHERLANDS, NORTHERN IRELAND, POLAND, PORTUGAL, SCOTLAND, SPAIN, UKRAINE  

DARK HORSES: ALBANIA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, BULGARIA, CROATIA, FINLAND, HUNGARY, IRELAND, LATVIA, MALTA, MONTENEGRO, NORTH MACEDONIA, SLOVENIA, WALES

LONG SHOTS: GREECE, SERBIA, SWEDEN