Above images - Shirley Burnett (Guyana) and Jacqueline Baker (Trinidad)

19th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth

Taking part in this year's Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth there were 18 contestants with representatives from 14 countries including Guyana, Jamaica and Nevis as well as Trinidad & Tobago.

Second-placed Jacqueline Baker (pictured above right) of Trinidad & Tobago just missed the chance to regain the Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth crown for the Caribbean. Shirley Dee (pictured right) of Ghana held off her determined challenge and that of her Trinidadian compatriot Michelle Supersad, who finished third, when the title was contested (for the nineteenth time) at the Polish Centre in Hammersmith, West London. Trinidadians and Ghanaians have battled for pre-eminence in the contest since the early Jamaican hegemony ended.

Entrants from the twin-island state have finished in the top three in five of the last six contests – the exception being last year when there was no T&T representative.

The judging panel comprised Margarette Alcindor (6th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth), Theresa de Roche (9th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth), journalist Isaac Tschando, Anne Rose Mori of Jewellery by Anne, Patsy White (promoter of Miss Asia World and Miss Elegance), former commere Shyraine Mubiana, and JoAnn Gosine as representative of the public. Moneygram sponsored the Cups and crowns, and there were prizes for the winner from Jewellery by Anne, Evoke luxury leatherwear, Cockspur rum and Windies Cove restaurant. Uchenna Obika (18th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth) and Natalie Latan (16th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth) commered the contest, and Alafair Celestine (Deputy 15th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth) introduced and interviewed the guest beauty queens.

The entertainment included singer Angel J and the Manic Dancers, and Ecology dancers and Tabot Mix, with a hairstyling display from Rougz Salon.