The candidates wear a black ribbon on their bands, a gesture adopted by the organization after a recent event that marked the host country.
The long-awaited night finally arrived. Miss Universe 2025 entered its final stretch and, from Bangkok, the most important international beauty pageant once again displayed its lights, its tradition and that magnetism that captures everyone’s attention every year.
There, in the midst of impeccable catwalks and presentations that defined the mood of each participant, One detail caught the public’s attention: all the candidates paraded with a black ribbon on their bands.
Although many interpreted it as an aesthetic accessory, the truth is that this gesture has a deep meaning and is completely linked to the host nation.
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What is the gesture due to?
The black bow that adorned the contestants’ bands is a symbol of mourning in tribute to His Majesty Sirikit Kitiyakarathe Queen Mother of Thailand, who died on October 24, 2025. His death marked a historic moment for the Asian country, which decreed a official six-month national mourning period.
For this reason, the Miss Universe Organization adopted the use of the black ribbon as a show of respect towards the Thai royal house and towards the collective feeling of a nation undergoing a significant transition. The candidates wore it in all their activities: preliminary presentations, interviews, parades and rehearsals.
The gesture was well received by the local public, who saw in it a message of cultural sensitivity and diplomacy by the participants, especially in a country where the figure of the monarchy has deep roots.
Who was Queen Mother Sirikit?
Sirikit Kitiyakaraborn in 1932, was one of the most beloved and respected figures in Thailand. became queen consort after her marriage to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and for decades she was the most influential presence on social, cultural and humanitarian issues within the country.
Known for its elegancehis charisma and a remarkable ability to connect with rural communities, the Queen Mother dedicated much of her life to sustainable developmentinitiatives to preserve Thai cultural heritage and projects to improve the quality of life of women and artisans in vulnerable regions.
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Thanks to his vision, many textile traditions They found global projection and local artists received institutional support that promoted a new generation of arts and crafts. This legacy meant that, even after retiring from public life for health reasons, he continued to be a moral and cultural reference figure for the country.
His death had a great impact on Thai society, which responded with official ceremonies, mass tributes and public expressions of gratitude. That same feeling led to Miss Universe 2025, Despite being an international competition, it will adopt symbols of mourning and will be integrated into the national mourning period.
