Miss St. Lucia Crowned Caribbean Queen; Antigua and Barbuda Delivers Strong Showing

The 2026 Miss St. Maarten Carnival Caribbean Queen Pageant brought together some of the most poised, talented delegates from across the Caribbean region this week, for a glittering night of cultural celebration and competition held at St. Maarten’s iconic Carnival Village. Opening under the event’s vibrant theme “Queens of Sun & Sail,” the annual pageant served as a centerpiece highlight of St. Maarten’s widely anticipated yearly Carnival festivities, designed to uplift regional pride and center the unique cultural expressions of each participating Caribbean territory. After a night of spirited performances showcasing each contestant’s talent, grace, and connection to their heritage, the coveted Caribbean Queen crown was awarded to Emerle Tisson, representing the island nation of St. Lucia. Tisson’s standout performance throughout the competition earned her the top spot among a stacked field of regional delegates. Following Tisson in the final rankings, Kentonea Fortin, contestant from Miss St. Eustatius, claimed the title of first runner-up, while Keisy Quant, the home delegate representing host nation St. Maarten, secured the position of second runner-up. Though Miss Antigua and Barbuda’s representative did not earn a placement among the evening’s top three finalists, pageant organizers and audience observers alike praised the contestant for her confident, energetic stage presence. Competing against dozens of skilled regional delegates, the Miss Antigua and Barbuda delegate represented her home island with unwavering poise, leaving a lasting impression on attendees with her committed, memorable performance. The event wrapped up to widespread acclaim, with organizers noting the success of this year’s competition in bringing Caribbean communities together through shared celebration of culture and womanhood.