03 Sep 2026

Adorned in a striking Delayna Scott ensemble sprinkled with pearls and 60 natural Botswana diamonds, each marking a year of the nation’s independence, Ruth Thomas is taking a piece of home to the Miss World finale in Vietnam tomorrow. 

Yet beyond the shimmer of her Diamond Jubilee gown lies the ultimate test, will 60 diamonds prove enough to propel the 24-year-old queen to victory?

Botswana is no stranger to placing its diamond heritage in the international spotlight. Former queens, Lesego Chombo and Anicia Gaothusi, previously showcased the country’s rich gem heritage on the Miss World stage.  Chombo wore a breathtaking 110-carat diamond necklace at the 71st dition in Mumbai, India while Gaothusi dazzled audiences with a 190-carat jewellery ensemble.

This time, however, the strategy focuses on symbolic depth rather than raw carat weight, 60 stones for 60 years of independence.

According to Miss Botswana director, Ben Raletsatsi, the natural diamonds are relatively small and scattered across the gown as delicate embellishments, unlike the more pronounced statement pieces worn by her predecessors.  Coupled with intricate pearl detailing, the gown tells a subtle yet powerful story interwoven with Botswana’s history.

However, winning the coveted crown will require more than a show-stopping dress. Thomas faces a challenging field after missing out on early victories across the fast-track events, which included Beauty With A Purpose, Head-to-Head, Sports, Cooking, Top Model, Multimedia and People’s Choice. 

A win in any of these challenges guarantees contestants an automatic spot in both the quarter-finals (Top 40) and the Top 12. The People’s Choice Award, which closes today, offers a vital glimmer of hope. After previously holding fourth place on the African leader board, Thomas has slipped to sixth in recent days. 

A late surge in voting before the deadline could deliver the boost she needs to skip the selection queue and secure a guaranteed spot in the top tier. Should she miss out on the People’s Choice slot, Thomas will have to rely on her overall performance score.  Fortunately, consistency plays a significant role in the judges’ evaluation and the 24-year-old has already earned valuable points by securing a Top 2 finish in the Cooking Challenge and a Top 6 placing in the Top Model Challenge within Africa.

With her solid track record across sub-challenges, her chances of being selected by the judging panel to fill the remaining Top 40 slots remain strong.  But as the countdown to tomorrow’s grand finale in Vietnam comes to an end, all eyes will be on whether her historic 60-diamond gown and her steady performance, can carry Botswana all the way to glory. ENDS