Travelling from London to Cambridge to visit the famous top-ranked university, the national representatives were invited to participate in a debate which covered a wide range of topics concerning the Miss World event and Beauty with a Purpose.

The focus of the evening was the debate itself, held in the Cambridge Union Society, which was established in 1815 and is a prestigious arena of free speech which promotes the art of debating, hosting many prominent figures from the worlds of politics, science, arts and entertainment. This was the place for the Miss World hopefuls to talk about the social responsibility their titles hold in their respective countries. There was particular reference to the work of Beauty with a Purpose, the charitable element at the centre of Miss World.

Leading the debate were Zimbabwe, Botswana, Scotland, and Puerto Rico, who each delivered a speech to open proceedings. Zimbabwe spoke passionately about the importance of Beauty with a Purpose and her work helping the fight against a cholera epidemic in her country through engineering and hygiene projects. Botswana delivered an entertaining yet very thoughtful speech about tolerance and the need to dispel common misconceptions, leading to a rousing round of applause. Scotland’s presentation focused on the inspiring work of the contestants through Beauty with a Purpose, as well as highlighting some of the impressive working and academic backgrounds of her fellow contestants. Last of the principal speakers, Puerto Rico, engaged the audience with her work with children back home, including how much she has already learned from the Miss World experience.

After the speeches, the debate was open to contributions from the floor. Cambridge university students asked challenging questions on various aspects of Miss World and Beauty with a Purpose. When asked about the global reach of Beauty with a Purpose, Sierra Leone explained how bringing so many countries together allowed them to exchange ideas and methods for tackling shared international issues such as guaranteeing education for girls. Responding to the debate regarding inner beauty and outer beauty, Spain remarked how she has to demonstrate to others her inner beauty, and Dominican Republic and New Zealand echoed the need to challenge all prejudices.

2011 Miss World Contestants at Gleneagles

The 2011 Miss World contestants were able to relax a bit and see some of what Scotland has to offer. After a short coach ride from their hotel, a group of Miss World contestants arrived at the world famous Gleneagles golf course where they prepared to tee off on the 2014 Ryder Cup championship course. Throughout the day, the contestants were educated on the golf game as professional golfers stepped in to give the girls a hand in their techniques. Whilst the top 15 golfers played on the green, the rest of the ladies were inside the golfing academy receiving golf lessons.

2011 Miss World Contestants visit Stirling Castle

60 Miss World Contestants visited the ancient Stirling Castle, home to one of the finest and best-preserved Renaissance attractions in Great Britain. Built by James V, it was the home of his French wife Mary of Guise and Daughter Mary Queen of Scots who was crowned in 1543.

The girls enjoyed a thorough tour of the castle, which included using a medieval loom to weave a tapestry and learning about its history from kilted guides. The contestants and reigning Miss World, Alexandria Mills were photographed at the long dining table, in the iconic Great Hall.

It was a cultural trip full of Scottish tradition which left the contestants overwhelmed by the castle’s breath-taking views and beauty.

2011 Miss World Contestant Trip to Edinburgh Castle

As a special final day in Scotland, all 122 of the 2011 Miss World Contestants spent the day in ‘awe’ at one of Scotland’s most important historical buildings, the Edinburgh Castle. A once mighty fortress that housed royalty as it dominated the skyline; Edinburgh Castle is now home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, as well as being the focal point for the Scottish Hogmanay celebrations.

While on their tour of the castle, the girls had the privilege of witnessing the historic firing of the one o’clock gun, which has been fired almost every day since 1861. The gun did not disappoint, and despite covering their ears in anticipation, everyone jumped in shock at the sound and power of this ancient attraction.

At 17.30 the contestants were greeted by a traditional Scottish pipe and drum band. The girls joined in with the march through the castle gateway and out onto the esplanade. The castle looked stunning – illuminated by the darkening skyline and flaming torches. The contestants marched in unison with great smiles on their faces as they embraced a Scottish tradition. The day was truly a fantastic end to the Scottish leg of the Miss World 2011 UK tour.

MISS WORLD - VENEZUELA - Ivian SARCOS

Continental Winners

1st runner-up - PHILIPPINES - Gwendoline RUAIS

2nd runner-up - PUERTO RICO - Amanda Victoria VILANOVA PEREZ

Top 7

Top 15

The Miss World Charity Dinner was held in the Grand Ballroom at London’s Hilton Park Lane Hotel. The Miss World 2011 contestants brought a wide variety of national gifts from their countries to enter into auction, including signed sports memorabilia, dazzling jewellery, traditional crafts, and unique artwork. Beauty with a Purpose presentations, illustrating just a few examples of some of the incredible projects contestants have been involved with, were shown, highlighting the efforts of the Miss World 2011 contestants around the world. The charity dinner was also a time for the inaugural Beauty with a Purpose Humanitarian Award, which was presented to Kieu Hoang. Founder of Rare Antibody Antigen Supply Inc., Mr. Hoang’s pioneering work in plasma-based developments to combat a range of diseases has not only saved so many lives, but his generous donations have built homes for the homeless and taken kids off the streets. Thanks to the efforts of the contestants and the generosity of the guests in attendance, the total raised for Beauty with a Purpose at the Miss World Charity Dinner reached £100,000. The evening of entertainment culminated in an eclectic mix of music, song, and dance provided by the Miss World Talent performers. It was truly a successful event.

Top 11:

Semi-finalists: Iceland, Latvia, Malta, Barbados, South Africa, Cayman Islands, Venezuela, Canada & Czech Republic

Watch the Top 11 performances here.

Top 20: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Bolivia, China PR, England, France, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Martinique, Philippines, Sweden, Ukraine, Venezuela and Zimbabwe

World Designer Dress Award

With the fitness trials completed in London to determine the top six competitors in each group, the stage was set for the 2011 Miss World Sports Final, which was held at Crieff Hydro as part of the Miss World tour of Scotland. Contestants competed in three disciplines, with both team and individual events – swimming, running, and traditional Highland games.

Each group were given their team colours to show support for each other, with the representatives of each group as follows:

Group 1 (Red): Bonaire, Australia, Bahamas, Canada, Chile, Bolivia

Group 2 (Green): Czech Republic, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Botswana

Group 3 (Blue): Panama, Paraguay, Jamaica, Latvia, Portugal, Germany

Group 4 (Orange): Trinidad & Tobago, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Singapore, Uganda, Scotland

First on the day’s action-packed schedule was the swimming. Contestants from each group gathered at the poolside to cheer on their team-mates across six races. The speediest swimmers in each heat were Bonaire, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Latvia, Chile and Scotland. At the end of the swimming races, Group 2 were the leaders, but the day’s events were just getting started.

The main section of the Sports Final was the Highland games, a series of challenges testing strength, accuracy and speed, inspired by traditional Scottish pursuits. Held atop a picturesque hill surrounded by woodland and a stunning landscape, each group tried their hand at Shot Put, Tossing the Caber (launching a long wooden pole and flipping it as far as you can), and the ‘Haggis’ Hurling (throwing a tartan ball as close to the central target, a fluffy highland cow, as possible). The 24 competitors tried their hands with increasing weights of shot puts and cabers and despite it being the first time many of them had done anything like these events before, there were many highly impressive attempts in each of the games. The air was filled with chanting and music, as the spectators cheered on their fellow contestants and a bagpiper played his pipes to add an extra local flavour to proceedings.

The Highland Games finished with a team relay – the Farmer’s Dash. The teams had to negotiate an obstacle course while carrying first a bag of hay, then two wooden logs, and finally two water carriers. First across the finishing line in the final was Group 4, beating Group 1 into second place. In the play-offs, Group Three and Group Two ended up in third and fourth place respectively.

Finally, the climax of the Sports Final, the sprint dash and shuttle run (a team relay in which the first participant runs to a set point and back, the second to a further point and back, and so on). Trinidad & Tobago, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Latvia, Uganda and Scotland all triumphed in their respective heats of the sprint competition. In the shuttle run Group 3 crossed the finishing line first, followed by Group 4, Group 1, and Group 2.

After an exhilarating day, it was time for the all-important announcement of the Sports Team Winners, based on the results of the team events in the three sports sections. Miss World Alexandria Mills presented the medals to the successful team members as they took to the podium.

1st Place: Group 3, the Blue Team.

2nd Place: Group 4, the Orange Team.

3rd Place: Group 2, the Green Team.

4th Place: Group 1, the Red Team.

Guatemala and Bolivia also collected special awards for the ‘Haggis’ Hurling, for getting closest to the bull’s-eye, picking up a cuddly highland cow toy each. An extra title was awarded to Group 2, the Green Team, for being the Best Team Supporters.

Top 20: Bolivia, Brazil, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Martinique, New Zealand, Paraguay, Northern Ireland, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Serbia, Spain, St Barthelemy, Sweden, Ukraine, Venezuela and Zimbabwe

Qualifiers: Argentina, Aruba, Bermuda, France, Hungary, Japan, Belarus, Israel, Mauritius, Moldova, Panama, South Africa, Uganda, United States, US Virgin Islands & Wales