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Called ‘The Radiance of an Eternal Legacy’, the new crown has been created by George Wittels and Maison d’OR to mark 75 years of the international pageant.
From 1,529 Diamonds To 3,150: How The Miss Universe Crown Has Changed Over 75 Years
A Miss Universe winner’s crowning moment is never complete without the crown, and this year’s edition has a special one waiting for its winner. As the international pageant marks 75 years, the organisation has introduced a new design featuring 3,150 diamonds. Called ‘The Radiance of an Eternal Legacy’, the crown is meant to celebrate the competition’s past while looking ahead to its future.
The Miss Universe Organisation unveiled the crown on November 12, just days before the final event in Puerto Rico. Created by jewellery designer George Wittels in collaboration with Maison d’OR, the piece has been introduced as part of the pageant’s 75th Diamond Anniversary celebrations. Its name and design are intended to reflect the legacy of the women who have worn the title over the decades. The organisation announced the reveal on Instagram with the caption: “Introducing ‘The Radiance of an Eternal Legacy’. 3,150 diamonds, 75 years of history, and one extraordinary crown celebrating the past, present, and future of Miss Universe.”
A Crown For Every Era Of Miss Universe
The Miss Universe crown has changed several times since the competition began in 1952. Different designers and jewellery houses have brought their own interpretation to the title, making each crown a reflection of the period in which it was introduced. The first winner, Finland’s Armi Kuusela, wore the Romanov Imperial Nuptial Crown, which featured 1,529 diamonds. It was followed by the metallic bronze crown worn by 1953 winner Christiane Martel. Between 1954 and 1960, the Star of the Universe crown took centre stage, distinguished by around 1,000 black cultured pearls set in gold and platinum.
The 1960s brought the Rhinestone Crown, followed by the Coventry Crown, also known as the Lady Crown. The latter remained part of the pageant for several decades, from 1963 to 2001, and featured a central female figure holding a sceptre.
The early 2000s saw the return of elaborate gemstone designs. The Mikimoto Phoenix Crown, introduced for the pageant’s 51st anniversary, featured 500 colourless diamonds and 120 South Sea and Akoya pearls. It was used from 2002 to 2008 and returned for the 2017 and 2018 editions. The CAO Crown, introduced in 2008, brought together diamonds, smoky quartz and morganite in an 18-karat gold setting.
In the years that followed, the designs became increasingly symbolic. The Diamond Nexus Peace Crown, used between 2009 and 2013, featured 1,371 gemstones and synthetic rubies, reflecting the pageant’s HIV/AIDS awareness platform. The DIC Crown, which followed, drew inspiration from the Manhattan skyline and combined blue topaz, diamonds and sapphires.
The Mouawad era brought two memorable designs. The Power of Unity Crown, worn from 2019 to 2021, featured a 62.83-carat golden canary diamond. It was followed by the Force for Good Crown, which was adorned with blue sapphires and white diamonds. Most recently, the Jewelmer Lumière de l’Infini Crown was introduced for the 2024 and 2025 editions. Handcrafted using Filipino and French jewellery techniques, it featured 23 golden South Sea pearls alongside diamonds, with gold and platinum forming its base. The new 2026 crown now takes over as the pageant enters its next chapter.
The Controversies Around Miss Universe 2026
The anniversary edition has not been without its share of turbulence. Ahead of the November 24 finale, several national representatives and organisations have withdrawn or been unable to participate. Reports cite visa difficulties, personal and health-related reasons, and a dispute over franchise rights. One of the biggest disagreements concerns six Southeast Asian countries — Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore. The Miss Universe organisation has said that the franchise arrangements for these countries were not valid and that their contestants would not be eligible to compete.
When Is The Miss Universe 2026 Finale?
The 75th Miss Universe finale is scheduled to take place on November 24 at the Jose Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Contestants from 121 countries were expected to compete for the title, with India’s representative being Kaziah Liz Mejo from Kerala. The new crown will be passed on to the winner as the pageant marks a milestone year in its history.
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November 13, 2026, 14:30 IST
