A LOCAL beauty queen is celebrating after recently being crowned Miss Royal United Kingdom.

Nicole Anderson, from Cumbernauld, became the first Scottish contender to bag the title at the Ms Royal Glasgow finalist pageant in Manchester last month. 

The 28-year-old will travel to America next year to compete in the global leg of the competition, with the hope of being named Ms Royal International.

She said: “I still haven’t registered it at all. It has been a whirlwind but I am completely over the moon.”

Glasgow Times:

For the last two years, Nicole has been working in recruitment, specialising in bringing doctors and nurses on to Scottish wards.

It wasn’t until her dad sadly passed away last year that she pushed herself to take up her passion on-stage. 

“It put a lot of things into perspective for me”, she said.

“My first ever pageant was in 2020 shortly after my dad passed away. I pushed myself and I actually ended up coming in fourth place. 

“That was a massive surprise. I wanted to keep going to see how I could do. 

“When my name got called for the top three in July, I was honestly over the moon. I couldn’t believe it at all. 

“When I was crowned, it was like a dream. I’m still so happy.”

Although the inspiring pageant queen has come a long way, she says she still has a long way to go before she jets off in July 2022. 

Glasgow Times:

Nicole will be aided by her coach, Rachael Tate, who will help her with her wardrobe, interview skills and mental health on the run-up to the competition.

She said: “I have a lot of work to do before 2022 to prepare. I wouldn’t have the crown if it wasn’t for Rachael – she has helped me every step of the way.

“If I could come home after making it into the top five, then I would be absolutely delighted. It is so surreal to have even made it this far.”

And before she goes to America, Nicole is also determined to work on her Glaswegian accent. 

She laughed: “I keep saying that I need to start learning how to speak a bit slower so as they can understand my thick accent. 

“I’m so excited to meet all of the talented girls who will take part. It’s what makes the experience.”