Queen Elizabeth's Funeral Guard Is Crowned Mr. England, Heading to World Pageant

Mar. 15, 2025

Manuel Alcantara Turner was crowned the new Mr. England in Leicester, England on Aug. 20, 2024.Photo:Mr England / SWNS

Mr England / SWNS

A British Army soldier who served atQueen Elizabeth’s funeral andKing Charles' coronation has won the Mr. England competition — and already has his sights set on the Mr. World pageant this fall.Lance Corporal Manuel Alcantara Turner of the Coldstream Guards was crowned Mr. England in Leicester on Aug. 20, the first soldier to win the title. Turner, 22, clinched the contest that began with 150 hopefuls and was reduced to 12 finalists. He took the top prize following a final round involving a catwalk, fashion shoot and interview with Miss England Milla Magee,The Telegraphreported.Turner joined the Army at age 16 and is based at Victoria Barracks near Windsor Castle, not far from wherePrince William,Kate Middletonand their children live. He said that enlisting transformed him from a “boy into a man” and that he was totally devoted to duty.Manuel Alcantara Turner, the new Mr. England, in uniform.Mr England / SWNS"All I want to do is lay my life down for England, so I think that’s pretty deserving for Mr. England," the soldier said, according to the outlet. He added, “It’s an absolute honor to win this. I will represent my country well and hopefully make everyone proud.“The Newcastle native said that he has performed ceremonial duties at what proved to be Queen Elizabeth’s final Trooping the Colour during her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, her funeral in September 2022 and the coronation of King Charles andQueen Camillain May 2023. He has also been deployed to Kenya twice, he said.Looking ahead, his next mission in pageants will be representing his country at the Mr. World final in Phan Thiet, Vietnam on Nov. 23. The focused soldier has already ticked a task off the to-do list — getting the time off from work!Miss England Milla Magee (center) and Manuel Alcantara Turner (far right) at the Mr. England competition in Leicester, England on Aug. 20, 2024.Mr England / SWNS"This is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this, so I was quite nervous,” the newly minted Mr. England said. “But I do think myself quite a charismatic kind of guy. I know my work would appreciate it, and I checked with them just in case, so time off work will not be an issue.“He added, “In terms of ambitions, it’s to serve my country. That has always has been my ambition and always will.“Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!Manuel Alcantara Turner and Milla Magee at the Mr. England competition in Leicester, England on Aug. 20, 2024.Mr England / SWNSMagee, who was crowned Miss England earlier this year, wished him well onInstagramand wrote below a photo of them together, “There is no one more perfect to fit this role and l know you will do us all proud, as you already are for our country.“Turner’s unit, the Coldstream Guards, is one of seven regiments of the British Army’s prestigious Household Division, of which King Charles, as sovereign, serves as Colonel-in-Chief.

A British Army soldier who served atQueen Elizabeth’s funeral andKing Charles' coronation has won the Mr. England competition — and already has his sights set on the Mr. World pageant this fall.

Lance Corporal Manuel Alcantara Turner of the Coldstream Guards was crowned Mr. England in Leicester on Aug. 20, the first soldier to win the title. Turner, 22, clinched the contest that began with 150 hopefuls and was reduced to 12 finalists. He took the top prize following a final round involving a catwalk, fashion shoot and interview with Miss England Milla Magee,The Telegraphreported.

Turner joined the Army at age 16 and is based at Victoria Barracks near Windsor Castle, not far from wherePrince William,Kate Middletonand their children live. He said that enlisting transformed him from a “boy into a man” and that he was totally devoted to duty.

Manuel Alcantara Turner, the new Mr. England, in uniform.Mr England / SWNS

“All I want to do is lay my life down for England, so I think that’s pretty deserving for Mr. England,” the soldier said, according to the outlet. He added, “It’s an absolute honor to win this. I will represent my country well and hopefully make everyone proud.”

The Newcastle native said that he has performed ceremonial duties at what proved to be Queen Elizabeth’s final Trooping the Colour during her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, her funeral in September 2022 and the coronation of King Charles andQueen Camillain May 2023. He has also been deployed to Kenya twice, he said.

Looking ahead, his next mission in pageants will be representing his country at the Mr. World final in Phan Thiet, Vietnam on Nov. 23. The focused soldier has already ticked a task off the to-do list — getting the time off from work!

Miss England Milla Magee (center) and Manuel Alcantara Turner (far right) at the Mr. England competition in Leicester, England on Aug. 20, 2024.Mr England / SWNS

“This is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this, so I was quite nervous,” the newly minted Mr. England said. “But I do think myself quite a charismatic kind of guy. I know my work would appreciate it, and I checked with them just in case, so time off work will not be an issue.”

He added, “In terms of ambitions, it’s to serve my country. That has always has been my ambition and always will.”

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Manuel Alcantara Turner and Milla Magee at the Mr. England competition in Leicester, England on Aug. 20, 2024.Mr England / SWNS

Magee, who was crowned Miss England earlier this year, wished him well onInstagramand wrote below a photo of them together, “There is no one more perfect to fit this role and l know you will do us all proud, as you already are for our country.”

Turner’s unit, the Coldstream Guards, is one of seven regiments of the British Army’s prestigious Household Division, of which King Charles, as sovereign, serves as Colonel-in-Chief.

source: people.com