A young girl has turned past adversity into newfound confidence after being crowned Little Miss York 2026.
Emelia, from York, earned the title as part of the Little Miss Teen Great Britain competition and will now represent the city at the national grand final.
Her journey has not been without challenges, having faced bullying about her appearance, but the competition has helped her rediscover her confidence.
Emelia said: "Being crowned Little Miss York 2026 has given me so much confidence.
"I used to worry about what people thought of me, but now I’ve learned that being different is what makes me special.
"I’m so excited to represent York in the Grand Final and can’t wait to meet all the other finalists."
The national grand final will bring together young girls from across the UK to compete for the national title during a weekend focused on confidence, achievement, and friendship.
The pageant is about far more than the crown, with her family saying: "We couldn’t be prouder of Emelia.
"Watching her confidence grow has been incredible.
"We hope her story encourages other young people to remember that kindness matters and that it’s okay to stand out from the crowd."