Ghana gets things going - Shirley Dee (left), 19th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, and Magykk Myers (right), Contest Co-ordinator, greet each other as participants "mix and mingle" before the start of the more formal proceedings.
Contestant Tanaka (right) is welcomed by Josanne Jack (left), Assistant Contest Co-ordinator
Legends of the title - Alafair Celestine (centre left), Deputy 17th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, and Uchenna Obika (centre right), 18th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, offer encouragement to their prospective successors
Contestant Fatna (back row right) and singer Shahida (back row left) receive support from their family
The contestants take the stage for the opening ceremony
Is the winner here ? We shall find out soon
Jacqueline Matovu, former Miss Uganda, treads again on the stage on which she has been contestant, commere, judge and talent scout
Gloria Nsubuga (right), Deputy 22nd Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, and Jacqueline Matovu hold the Ugandan flag while the country's national anthem is sung. It was the national anthem of the country of the outgoing deputy title-holder because title-holder Yolanda Gqomo was in South Africa.
Archbishop Dr Bancroft McCarthy declares open the contest for the 23rd Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth title.
The United Christian Harmony Group provide their traditional start to the show.
Gloria - in excelsis
Christina seeks the first win for Guyana.
Jazzmin seeks a similar first victory for Sierra Leone.
Natalie proves that marriage and motherhood is no bar to beauty.
It is Fatna's third attempt on the title.
Benny has her sights on a second Nigerian title victory.
Sam's makes Montserrat's maiden appearance in the title.
Curmiah shapes up for St Lucia.
Sapphire intends to bring the title back to the Jamaica community in which it started.
Laura is only the second contender from the Congo.
Safiya makes Haiti's first challenge on the crown.
Tanaka is the national student champion (Miss ACS UK) from Southampton.
Allen seeks to improve on Uganda's previous best second place.
Melissa is the latest in the strong tradition of Ghanaian contenders.
Angel J returns to the top of the entertainment bill.
Where it all began? Almost three decades ago Lucia, 3rd Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, and promoter Clayton Goodwin formulated the traditions of the title which still apply.
Ruby, Deputy 5th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, recalls the early days of the title.
Margarette, 6th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, has been a popular favourite at many contests for the title.
Augustina, 10th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, has a kind word for tonight's contestants.
Camille, 15th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, remembered the torrential rain on the night which ushered in her reign.
Julia, Deputy 16th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, took part in the first contest for the title held here at the Polish Centre.
Alafair Celestine, Deputy 17th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, recalls some of the tight tussles for the title.
Uchenna Obika, 18th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, knows all too well how the contestants are feeling as they wait for the contest to start.
Shirley Dee, 19th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, directs contestants to ask what they can do for the title and not what the title can do for them.
The judging panel comprises former holders of the Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth title - and they are ready for the latest contest to start.
Angel J - fancy a shot at the title? You will get a lot of support.
Fatna maintains the momentum for Morocco.
Shanielle takes Cuba's first crack at the title.
Christina lines up with Angel J.
Jazzmin is the local contender from West London.
Sam is at home on the catwalk as well as the contest stage.
Sapphire awaits the call to contest.
Allen has come from Manchester for this moment.
Benny is one of the several student challengers.
Keneisha keeps up the traditional title challenge from Trinidad & Tobago.
Laura - drawing No17 of the seventeen contestants - has a nervous wait.
Tanaka is a promising teenage talent.
Lydia of Grenada makes amends for having to pull out due to a domestic emergency as the contest was about to start a year ago.
Natalie is eager to be called on stage.
Melissa shows the sweet smile of success.
Safiya seems to be confident.
Camille, 15th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, looks on the pictures of her fellow-former title-holders.
There was also an excellent support programme of entertainment.
Has Tanaka's time come for the title ?
Fatna's flair is obvious.
Sam sizes up her chances.
Curmiah has come to the contest as Deputy Miss St Lucia UK.
Jazzmin awaits the verdict of the judges.
Sapphire is nervous but confident.
Curmiah (second right) is the winner and 23rd Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth with Melissa (right) second, Sapphire (second left) third, and Christina (left) is voted Miss Personality by the other contestants.
Jubilation for newly-crowned Curmiah.
Congratulations to Curmiah from Alafair.
Promoter Clayton Goodwin thanks the title-holders and deputies ho have contributed so much to the tradition of Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth.
Curmiah gives the first of what should be many media interviews.
Yes we remember it well - Margarette, 6th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, and her husband David have seen many of the title's 23 contests.
The camera failed to capture (or the light faltered) two prominent participants in the 23rd Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth contest, namely -
Ruhamah was another strong contender from St Lucia
Shaherah, 17th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, was a member of the judging panel.
