Elated Christina Williams wins Nat’l Festival Queen title for Portland

Miss Portland Christina Williams, attorney-at-law and the self-described “country girl with global impact” raised the bar high on Saturday night when she waltzed away with the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2026 title, in front of family, friends and well-wishers at Independence Village in Kingston. It was the perfect Emancipation Day gift for Portland, a parish which last won the Festival Queen title 27 years ago.

For Williams, who won all of four sectional prizes – Most Culturally Aware, Most Active in the Community, Most Poised, and Best in Gown – the moment was “surreal”. In an interview with The Gleaner, she shared that, last year, she attended the finals and it was then that the idea to enter started to germinate. Williams’ friend suggested there and then that she should enter and win the title for Portland in 2026, following Gregor Fung’s win in 1999. That same friend was inside the venue on Saturday and was her loudest supporter.

“I am very, very grateful to be taking the title home to family, community and country,” said the 28-year-old development advisor and head of information privacy and protection at the Jamaica National Heritage Trust. “During the competition, I told myself that what I can do is focus on my own race … my own journey … and whatever the judges decide, they will decide,”

Although there were obvious favourites in the competition, judging from the army of supporters that some of the queens had inside the National Indoor Sports Centre, a smiling Williams pointed out calmly that “there was no sure win for anyone … we all had to work very hard to be here tonight”. She noted, however, that support from the community is vital.

“I had a very present committee, and messages of encouragement did filter through to me from Portland’s last winner, Gregor Fung. And ... I also want to put on record Mrs Thaxter, who was really very supportive of my journey. I felt the entire Portland’s energy on stage. I brought them all on stage with me tonight,” shared Williams.

Among those who were literally on stage with her were her father, grandmother, stepmother, and her sister.

Her father, Conroy Williams, could not contain his joy, and neither could her grandmother, Carmen McPherson, who has been nurturing Christina since she was one year and three months old. McPherson didn’t talk much, but she had the tightest, love-filled hugs for all who congratulated her.

“I always mek sure that dem go to school … primary school and then Titchfield and on to university,” McPherson, who is Williams paternal grandmother told The Gleaner.

Christina’s father was unable to wipe the smile from his face. “I am so happy … I am so joyful,” he told The Gleaner.

“When she told me she was going to enter, I encouraged her. I said, ‘Go ahead because I know yuh can do it.’ I didn’t get to go to the parish finals, but I had to be here tonight. We prayed before we leave Portland, and, when we reach, we pray again. And then we just sit and relax, waiting on the moment,” he said.

He admitted that he “didn’t get to carry all of Portland with [him] … just around 10 of us in all” but gave thanks for the support from the audience which erupted in spontaneous cheers when Christina was announced as winner and she walked on stage to claim the crown for Portland.

Christina, who in 2024 was honoured with the Princess Diana Legacy Award, the highest honour a young person can get in the world for social impact work, compared that moment to the present.

“I was brought to England and was conferred with it by Prince William. I was able to work with Prince William … and Prince Harry as well, through his foundation and it’s really been a great opportunity to represent Jamaica at that stage. And, yuh know what dem seh about dance a yard before yuh dance abroad? Well, I’m happy that I get to dance a yaad now with this national title,” the 2026 Miss Jamaica Festival Queen told The Gleaner.

Claiming the first runner-up crown on Saturday night was Miss Manchester, Dr. Melissa Flinch, who radiated pure joy when she received her crown and sash. Finch won sectional prizes for Most Congenial and Best Performance. Third-place winner, representing the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew, was Danielle Cox, who won the sectional prize for Most Popular on Social Media.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Juliet Holness, as well as sponsors and ministry representatives handed out the night’s awards.

Organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, the evening progressed smoothly, with high calibre entertainment from the queens who showcased their talents.

The Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition started in 1963 as the Miss Jamaica Beauty Contest. However, the need for a greater emphasis on cultural awareness led to a shift in focus in 1975. The competition is the premier forum for young ladies seeking a platform for their contribution to nation-building. It is one of the highlights of the Emancipation and Independence celebrations.

Several Miss Jamaica Festival Queens have gone on to higher heights as cultural ambassadors and nation-builders in their respective career fields, including Dahlia Harris, who was the emcee at Saturday’s coronation.

The judging panel included W. Billy Heaven, Ali McNab, Velonique Bowen, George Davis and Joan Andrea Hutchinson.

Serenading the queens and also giving a short performance, albeit interspersed with too much talking, was Singing Melody.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com.