Royal meeting for pageant finalist

A Wigan schoolgirl who met Prince Charles will be hoping to pick up a new crown of her own during a trip to Paris.
Siah Bajinka told Prince Charles about her sash when they met in CumbriaSiah Bajinka told Prince Charles about her sash when they met in Cumbria
Siah Bajinka told Prince Charles about her sash when they met in Cumbria

Siah Bajinka takes part in pageants and will be heading to France next month for the international finals of a competition.

And the 10-year-old has the royal seal of approval, after meeting the heir to the throne last week.

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He was visiting Ennerdale Bridge in Cumbria and asked Siah about the sash she was wearing and the pageants she takes part in.

Siah BajinkaSiah Bajinka
Siah Bajinka

Siah, a pupil at Platt Bridge Community School, said: “He was very interested in my sash and clothes. He was very nice.”

The youngster was crowned the Junior Face Of North West England last year after success in a pageant in Bolton.

She saw off girls from across the North West to take the title and win a place in the international finals.

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Siah is now preparing to travel to Folkestone, in Kent, on Friday, May 26 to take part in the Face Of Europe And The World pageant.

Siah BajinkaSiah Bajinka
Siah Bajinka

After two days competing there, she will travel to Disneyland Paris for the rest of the competition.

Her proud mum Sherie said: “She is very excited. She thinks she will do well.

“She is happy to make new friends from all over the world.”

As part of the pageant, Siah will feature in a video talking about her hobbies, school, charity work and other aspects of her life.

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She will also give a speech, take part in an interview in front of the judging panel and head to the catwalk.

It is a natural pageant, so she will not wear any make-up or false hair, and she will be in the junior category with girls aged nine to 13.

Mrs Bajinka said: “She loves being on stage, she likes having her photograph taken, she loves every aspect of it.”

If she wins the title, it could be another step on her way to achieving her dream of becoming Miss World.

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Siah has been competing in pageants for three years, held several titles and raised more than £10,000 for charities.

She is currently raising money for the pageant’s chosen charity Headway East Kent, which supports people with head injuries, and held a fund-raising pageant at Abram Community Centre last weekend.

Mrs Bajinka, who lives in Ince, said: “Siah has been working very hard since winning the title, making appearances all over the country at pageants and charity events.

“She has been compering and judging at many of these events and she has also been fund-raising for the charity by holding raffles, tombolas and holding her own charity pageants.”

Anyone wishing to make a donation to Siah’s fund-raising appeal can contact Mrs Bajinka by emailing [email protected].