North Yorkshire mum Amber Killey has made pageant history as the first disabled woman crowned Ms Earth United Kingdom.
Amber Killey, from Catterick Garrison, won Ms Earth United Kingdom 2026 at the Earth Pageants UK finals in Hertfordshire on August 29 and 30.
The mum-of-one, who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, travelled further than any other contestant, making bringing the national title home to North Yorkshire even more special.
(Image: THOSE PAGEANT PHOTOGRAPHERS)
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of 13 inherited connective-tissue disorders that can cause unusually flexible joints and fragile or stretchy skin.
The win adds to Amber’s growing list of pageant titles.
She has also won Miss Eco Pageants UK and Top Model North Yorkshire, making her the first disabled woman to hold all three titles.
The 28-year-old hopes her achievements will show what disabled women can accomplish when given the chance to be visible, represented and heard.
Amber also won four awards: Best in Interview, Best in Sustainable Fashion, Best in Evening Gown and the People’s Choice Award.
Away from pageants, Amber uses her Together We Dazzle campaign to champion disability inclusion, sustainability and climate action.
Amber’s experience of living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which can take years to diagnose, inspired the campaign.
The name refers to the medical saying, "When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras", which urges doctors to consider common diagnoses before rare ones.
(Image: THOSE PAGEANT PHOTOGRAPHERS)
Zebras are a symbol of EDS, and a group of them is known as a "dazzle", inspiring the campaign’s name.
(Image: THOSE PAGEANT PHOTOGRAPHERS)
Sustainable fashion also helped Amber stand out in the competition.
Amber made her award-winning sustainable outfit almost entirely from second-hand clothes bought on Vinted, altering the garments herself.
(Image: THOSE PAGEANT PHOTOGRAPHERS)
Amber said her entire pageant-weekend wardrobe was second-hand, proving people can express their style without fast fashion or huge expense.
Through Together We Dazzle, she campaigns for disabled people to be included in climate policy and action.
Amber says disabled people can be hit hardest by climate emergencies, yet their experiences are often ignored when policies and emergency plans are drawn up.
The new title-holder hopes to raise awareness of these issues and inspire disabled people, especially women and mothers, to chase their ambitions.
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Amber has also raised more than £4,000 for charity.
Reflecting on her achievements, Amber said: "This is something I am incredibly proud of, as I hope it demonstrates what disabled women can achieve when given the opportunity to be visible, represented and heard."
Amber was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome at 20, after experiencing symptoms from the age of 13.