Cavan Queen wins World ‘International’ Royalty pageant

A Cavan woman says she is “shocked” but “thrilled and absolutely delighted” after she was crowned Miss World ‘International’ Royalty 2022 at a pageant in Cork last month.

Janet Needham (47) received the honour at an event that took place at the Walter Rayleigh Hotel on October 31. The Cavan mum and part-time model previously represented the county as Ms Cavan at the Miss Emerald Isle Pageant and her recent win puts her on course to represent the role at various events throughout the country. “I was to be an inspiration for every woman, to be themselves, and follow your dreams,” says Janet, who has lived in Cavan with her young son Michael James for the past 13 years.

The Miss World ‘International’ Royalty is an incredible coup for the Cavan woman who only began presenting at pageants four years ago as a way to “boost confidence” and “make new friends”.

Janet is an advocate for both body and age positivity.

While this was only Janet’s third pageant to date, she was a model from age 16, and knows the pressures that exist in the industry.

She’s well aware of the critical light in which pageants are cast at times, but says: “With young girls growing up, there is so much focus on image. But pageantry isn’t about that. It’s about confidence, and it’s about being who you are as a person - your personality and your heart. I want to be part of sharing that message. You meet some beautiful people, from all across Ireland, and all walks of life. It can be a wonderful experience, life changing for myself.”

As Janet says herself: “I’m not ready to hang up my heels just yet.”

“I still want to be involved in some form of glamour, doesn’t every woman? I love being on stage, it's a wonderful feeling. It's empowering, and you feel like a different person up there. It's a community as well. Once you’re part of the pageant family, you’ve friends for life.”