Rhiannon Howe from Portsmouth is the new Miss Hampshire 2026

A Portsmouth primary school teacher has been crowned Miss Great Britain Hampshire 2026.

Some of the region's most glamorous ladies took part in the second Miss Great Britain Hampshire final.

The show, which is run by regional director, Aryana Neo, was on Sunday, July 19 at the Novotel Southampton and saw more than 100 guests. 

Miss Great Britain is the oldest and most prestigious pageant in the UK and welcomes women from all backgrounds. With no restrictions on age, background, marital and parental status, it's fast becoming the most modern-day pageant in the UK. 

Before the event, each of the contestants invested their time and effort into supporting the two nominated charities, promoting the sponsors, working in their communities and on their passions as well as helping to build the brand of Miss Great Britain Hampshire. 

 Before the big reveal on Sunday evening, the finalists took part in a one-to-one judges interview, a fashion wear stage round, swimwear stage round and evening wear stage round for their last chance to impress the judging panel.

The judging panel this year consisted of 5 professionals from various industries who are all reputable within their field. This year's judges were:

• Emma Powell - Ms Great Britain 2024
•  David Gamble - Director of Business Development for Village Hotels 
•  Danielle Latimer - Miss Universe Great Britain 2025
•  Dionne John - Mrs Galaxy Great Britain 2026
•  Samatha Coote - Ms Pageant Girl UK 2026

Family, friends and sponsors of the Hampshire finalists were in attendance to see 22-year-old primary school teacher, Rhiannon Howe from Portsmouth crowned Miss Great Britain Hampshire 2026.

Rhiannon, 22, started her journey with a Miss Great Britain regional last year and is back this year after falling in love with the system and everything it stands for. 

Her platform, Recovery with Rhi, works to raise awareness of eating disorders, support those who are suffering and promote body positivity. 

Having suffered with an eating disorder as a teenager, Rhiannon is passionate about using her own experience to help others. Delivering Q and A sessions, writing articles for newsletters and improving patient care working with local CAMHS teams and Eating Disorder Services are ways which Rhiannon shares her story and supports others. 

Alongside advocating for eating disorder support, Rhiannon loves to fundraise for charities such as cancer research UK and a-sisterhood. She hopes this year will bring more opportunities for fundraising! 

Regional director, Aryana said “I am over the moon with my second year directing and how the finals went. I couldn’t be prouder of each and every finalist that has competed. Their personal growth and development is incredible to see. I am so excited to work with Rhiannon to prepare her for the 81st anniversary of Miss Great Britain this October!”

Amongst the other awards on the night were the runners-up: 1st Runner Up was Elli-May, and 2nd Runner Up was Sienna Corlett

Main sponsor this year was Fit4Her gym - a women’s only gym in Southampton. 

This year, the Miss Great Britain Hampshire finalists raised over £5000 for charitable organisation A-Sisterhood, and nationwide charity Cancer Research UK. Over £350,000 has so far been raised in recent years for our chosen charities. Hosting this year's event was Alice Cutler, the current reigning Miss Great Britain 2026.

The winner of the Miss Great Britain Hampshire 2026 will receive an abundance of exciting opportunities and prizes including;

• Entry to Miss Great Britain finals with accommodation for 2 nights in Leicester! Worth over £600!
• An official sash and crown, with crown box to carry around and protect that gorgeous crown.
• Personal fitness with AR fitness
• 3-month membership at Fit4Her gym 
• Wild flower bouquet from Lower Norton Flower Farm in Winchester 
•  1 month membership with SISU Pilates
•  A pair of stunning earrings form Earring Envy!
•  A consultation with Dr Xavier, a skin analysis with their OBSERV ® Imaging system,  A skin care review with their therapist, and Two Dermalux L.E.D light treatments – a package worth over £200, from Dr Xaviers Clinic in Southampton!
•  Coaching from Sofia Mayers for Pageant Coaching in the run up to Miss Great Britain this October.
•  A Luxury Champagne afternoon tea at Harbour Hotel Southampton on their roof top called HarBar on 6th.

 The National Final of the Miss Great Britain competition will take place on Friday 16th October at the Athena in Leicester. Tickets are available now at www.missgreatbritainofficial.co.uk.