History Made: Miss Nyaley Lewis and Miss Faith Edward Jointly Crowned 2026 National Carnival Queen – the First Tie in the Pageant’s 72-Year History

For the first time in the 72-year history of the National Carnival Queen Pageant, two delegates have been crowned 2026 National Carnival Queen: Miss Bank of Saint Lucia, Nyaley Lewis, and Miss Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Faith Edward. The historic result was declared at the Pavilion on Rodney Bay, where nine delegates vied for the coveted title in a riveting display of talent, confidence and poise across six (6) segments.

The Carnival Planning & Management Committee (CPMC) recognises that an outcome without precedent in more than seven decades has generated significant public discussion. In the interest of full transparency, the CPMC wishes to set out the facts of how the result was determined and verified.

How the Result Was Determined and Verified

• A panel of nine (9) judges – Three (3) regional and Six (6) local – adjudicated the pageant. Every judge is an established expert in his or her respective field.
• Expertise-based scoring. A maximum of five (5) judges were assigned to each segment, matched strictly to their area of expertise and experience in that discipline.
• Digital judging software. All scores were entered and tabulated electronically using certified digital judging software, eliminating manual calculation errors.
• Independent audit. The results were audited and verified by auditors from the Office of the Director of Audit before the announcement. The audit confirmed that Miss Lewis and Miss Edward achieved identical final scores.
• No post-scoring deliberation. In keeping with the pageant’s established practice, judges do not deliberate once scoring is complete. This safeguard is deliberate, to remove any opportunity for bias or influence over the result. All delegates were advised of this before the competition.

Why a Tie-Breaker Could Not Be Applied

The rules of the National Carnival Queen Pageant contain no tie-breaking provision – a reflection of the fact that, in 72 years, a tie for first place had never occurred. Once the audited results were confirmed, the CPMC could not fairly or credibly introduce a new rule after the fact. Creating a tie-breaker retroactively, with the scores already known, would have compromised the very integrity and impartiality that the judging and audit process is designed to protect. The only outcome consistent with the verified scores and the existing rules was to declare both delegates National Carnival Queen.

The results of the 2026 National Carnival Queen Pageant are as follows:

• 2026 National Carnival Queen – Miss Bank of Saint Lucia, Nyaley Lewis and Miss Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Faith Edward
• 1st Runner Up – Miss Republic Onboard, Shernette Rameau
• 2nd Runner Up – Miss Diamond Girl, Simone Sonson
• 3rd Runner Up – Miss Duty Free Pointe Seraphine, Eudoxia Poleon

The National Carnival Queens, Nyaley Lewis and Faith Edward, will each receive the full winner’s package: a cash reward of EC$25,000, a fully funded scholarship, and an all-expenses-paid cruise, courtesy of Cox and Company.

The winners in the individual categories were as follows:

• Miss Photogenic – Miss Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Faith Edward
• Miss Congeniality – Miss Duty Free Pointe Seraphine, Eudoxia Poleon
• Strongbow People’s Choice – Miss Republic Onboard, Shernette Rameau
• CPMC Chairman’s Award for Perseverance – Miss WMB Events & Rentals
• Best First Interview – Miss Bank of Saint Lucia, Nyaley Lewis
• Best Second Interview – Miss Republic Onboard, Shernette Rameau
• Best Swimwear – Miss Bank of Saint Lucia, Nyaley Lewis
• Best in Swimwear – Miss Bank of Saint Lucia, Nyaley Lewis
• Best Performing Talent – Miss Diamond Girl, Simone Sonson
• Best Costume – Miss Duty Free Pointe Seraphine, Eudoxia Poleon
• Best in Costume – Miss Duty Free Pointe Seraphine, Eudoxia Poleon
• Best Evening Wear – Miss Bank of Saint Lucia, Nyaley Lewis
• Best in Evening Wear – Miss Bank of Saint Lucia, Nyaley Lewis

Strengthening the Rules for the Future

Although the 2026 result is final and fully verified, the CPMC recognises the importance of ensuring that the pageant’s rules remain clear, comprehensive and fit for purpose. The Committee has begun a formal review of the rules and related policies and will publish any necessary updates before the next competition, ensuring that delegates, judges and the public have a clear understanding of the procedures that will guide future pageants.

The sponsors of the National Carnival Queen Pageant include Bank of Saint Lucia Limited, Diamond Girl, 1st National Bank, Duty Free Pointe Seraphine, Republic Bank, Export Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, WMB Events & Rentals, and Caribbean Galaxy Real Estate, along with event sponsors Strongbow, Monroe University, Anthony’s Jewelry, Cox and Company, J.P. Chanet and Bounty Rum. Delegates received an array of prizes from various contributors including Ladera Resort and Spa, Renwick and Company, Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat, Sugar Beach – A Viceroy Resort, Cap Maison Resort and Spa, Fashion Bloc, The Harvest and Table Restaurant, Big Chef Steakhouse and Sandals Golf and Country Club.

The Carnival Planning & Management Committee extends its gratitude to all delegates, judges, auditors, sponsors, production teams, and supporters who made the 2026 National Carnival Queen Pageant a resounding success, and offers its warmest congratulations to Queens Nyaley Lewis and Faith Edward on their historic achievement.

Follow @saintluciacarnivalqueenpageant on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and @carnivalsaintlucia or www.carnivalsaintlucia.com for more updates and highlights from Lucian Carnival 2026.