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Pair of beauty queens make Miss England history as first joint winners in century

Caitlin Bennett, 19, and Ellie Daglish, 23, have made beauty pageant history by becoming the first contestants ever to be crowned joint winners of a Miss England title after finishing on exactly the same score the first double crowning since the competition began in 1928

[Caitlin Bennett (left) and Ellie Daglish]

Caitlin Bennett (left) and Ellie Daglish(Image: Andrew Mee / SWNS)

A pair of beauty queens have made history in becoming the first ever contestants to jointly win a Miss England title. Caitlin Bennett, 19, and Ellie Daglish, 23, both finished with identical scores on Sunday, resulting in them sharing the Miss England East Midlands tiara a first in the competition's 98-year history.

Off the catwalk, the pair have also become firm friends since meeting at the pageant. Student and part-time dance teacher Caitlin, from Wigston, Leics., said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to have won my very first pageant at 19.

"Sharing the title with someone who has been with me since the very first audition makes it even more special and I'm honoured to be heading to the finals alongside Ellie, now a friend I've grown so close to. Graduating from my performing arts course the day before made this an unforgettable week and I can't wait to see what the finals bring."

[The new Miss East Midlands with reigning champ Grace Richardson ]

The new Miss East Midlands with reigning champ Grace Richardson (Image: Miss England / SWNS)

Fashion merchandiser Ellie, from Nottingham, expressed her surprise at the double crowning: "The double crowning was something I never expected and I still can't quite believe it. It's been such a privilege to share this experience with Caitlin and I'm excited for what we'll both achieve in our reign."

The unprecedented tie came after the girls competed in several rounds, including a makeup free bare-faced round, a fundraising round, and a catwalk presentation. After tallying the judges' scores, it was discovered that two contestants had achieved the same total.

The contestants had achieved identical marks, making it impossible to separate them. Miss England Director Angie Beasley stated: "It's incredibly rare for our judging panel to produce an exact tie, but with both contestants achieving identical scores, we felt it was only fair that they should both progress to the national final.

[It is the first time there was a joint winner]

It is the first time there was a joint winner(Image: Miss England / SWNS)

"Rather than selecting one overall East Midlands winner, they will now each proudly represent their own home county."

Current Miss England, Grace Richardson, who hosted and organised the event at The Pumping Station in Leicester, said: "The judges simply couldn't choose between them. Both contestants performed brilliantly throughout the competition and thoroughly deserved to win."

Caitlin Bennett will now compete as Miss Leicestershire, while Ellie Daglish will be Miss Nottinghamshire in the Miss England final at Leicester's Athena on November 17.

They will be battling for the Miss England crown and the chance to represent England at Miss World 2027. Reigning Miss England Grace Richardson will compete at the Miss World 2026 final in Vietnam next month.

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