One of the most unusual events in the history of the competition
Guests applaud report of “exceptional” term-of-office of Shirley Dee

Karola Rajoo, Deputy 20^th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, was on her way home after an exceptionally exhausting day at work. She telephoned promoter Clayton Goodwin to say that she would not be able to attend the Sashing of title-holder Cathrina de Graf at Windies Cove restaurant in Maze Hill, Greenwich. A few minutes later he called Karola back with the urgent request – “Please get to the restaurant as quick as you can – Cathrina’s not coming”. It could be described as one of the most unusual – if not the most unusual - events in the almost thirty years-old history of the Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth competition.
In recent years the Sashing of the elected title-holder – that is the official confirmation of the vote of the judging panel after a month for scrutiny of the winner’s credentials – has become such a formality that fewer people attend than did only a short while earlier. There were no indications that this year would be any different, until an hour before the event. Clayton received two telephone-calls to the effect that Cathrina had to be detained in hospital for overnight assessment. What could be done? It was too late to stop the guests from leaving home, and it was essential to have a “sashed” (i.e. official) title-holder for engagements at the coming weekend.
Karola, still bemused at the turn of events, found herself sashed as “Interim Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth” by Shaherah Jordan, her fellow-Trinidadian and 17^th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth. Without warning she was called upon to give a speech of acceptance – the true test of a title-holder which passed with “flying colours”. Christiane Dawe, Miss Cameroon UK, who has followed this year’s competition since its inception and launch, spoke on behalf of guest beauty queens.
Georgina Jarrett, Evoke fashion designer, presented Karola with a luxury leather hand-bag. Guests included Margarette Alcindor, 6^th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, whose husband David, like Georgina and Shaherah, had been on the judging panel for the 20^th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth at the Polish Centre. Consequently there was a “quorum” on hand to sanction the interim appointment. The national flag of Trinidad & Tobago was displayed once more at a “Sashing” of Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth.
Earlier in the evening guests had applauded Clayton Goodwin’s report of the “exceptional” term of office of outgoing title-holder Shirley Dee, 19^th Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth, who was not present as that day she was taking her “Finals” examinations at the University of Kent. They also sang “Happy Birthday to you” for the up-coming birthdays of Hopelyn Goodwin, the next day, and Pauline Clarke, proprietor of Windies Cove. 

* Karola Rajoo has been appointed subsequently 21^st Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth