After a tumultuous evening, Emilie Vansteenkiste has been elected the new Miss Belgium. She takes over the crown from Chayenne van Aarle, who was unable to attend the gala show in De Panne after being involved in a serious traffic accident earlier this week.
Emilie Vansteenkiste has been chosen from 32 finalists as Miss Belgium 2023. The occupational therapy student from Elewijt was clearly the big favorite all evening. Thank you everyone for voting, for the support. I’m not going to disappoint you, I’m really going to do my best,” she said emotionally after she was crowned. The podium places are for Claire Lansenebre and Victoria Kembukuswa.
The run-up to the election of Miss Belgium did not go smoothly this year. Earlier this week, the current miss Chayenne van Aarle was involved in a serious traffic accident that prevented her from attending the show – although she could be seen on a large screen – but for a moment it seemed that the entire gala show might not be able to take place. A few hours before the election in the Proximus Theater in Plopsaland De Panne, a man was arrested nearby who was carrying a weapon and also had a weapon in his car. According to Eric Van der Sypt of the federal prosecutor’s office, ‘an attack may have been avoided’.
After the security services had thoroughly checked the hall, the show could still start, albeit with a delay of more than an hour. The presenters apologized for the delay and thanked the police for their efficient and good work. “But now we do what we have to do: the show must go on.’
