Miss Universe 2023 pre-arrival favourites: India's Shweta Sharda and Philippines' Michelle Dee among those making waves

ARRIVAL: More than 80 of the world’s beautiful women are now starting to arrive in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador. The Latin American nation is the host of this year’s Miss Universe pageant.

GETTING READY: Several contestants have been sharing photos of their first few days in San Salvador, filled with fittings and registrations, including Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee. In an Instagram post on Monday, the Filipina beauty queen is seen posing with Miss Universe India Shweta Sharda, as well as representatives from Nepal and France. Above: Jane Dipika Garrett, Michelle Dee, Shweta Sharda and Indira Ampiot.

The ladies representing their countries interacted with the local and foreign media. Rules of the pageant has been tweaked in a modernisation drive, now allowing mothers and married women to participate.

MATERNAL AND MARITAL INCLUSION: The Miss Universe organisation has been on a quest to modernise its rules. Above: Soyun Kim (L), Miss South Korea 2023, and Celeste Viel, Miss Chile 2023, posing for a selfie during a gala event.at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador in San Salvador, scheduled to take place on November 18, 2023.

TRANSFORMATION: The Miss Universe organisation is heralding a transformative period, announcing a groundbreaking change that will forever alter the landscape of beauty pageants. Above: Isabella García-Manzo, Miss El Salvador 2023, is seen speaking during a gala event at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador in San Salvador in this photo taken on November 8, 2023.

GLOBAL STAGE FOR ALL WOMEN: From 2024, the world will witness an unprecedented shift as Miss Universe welcomes women of all ages to vie for the prestigious crown. Above: Miss Universe aspirants attending a gala event at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador in San Salvador.

MAKING WAVES: In a captivating moment during Tanner Fletcher's New York Fashion Week show titled ‘Beauty Pageant,’ Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel made waves with a game-changing announcement that has sent shockwaves through the pageantry world.

CHALLENGING AGE CONVENTIONS: Traditionally, contestants age out of the Miss Universe pageants at 28. However, Gabriel herself, now 29, defied it and became the oldest woman to hold the title, shattering stereotypes along the way. Above: Karla Guilfu Acevedo, Miss Puerto Rico 2023, attending a gala event.

HISTORIC MOMENT: This year's Miss Universe pageant, set to take place in El Salvador later this month (November), will be a historic event. For the first time in its more than 70-year history, the competition will feature contestants who are married and mothers.

EMBRACING DIVERSITY: The winds of change continue to blow in the world of beauty pageants. Miss Universe Guatemala crowned Michelle Cohn, a 28-year-old mother of two, as its representative. Above: Michelle Cohn, Miss Guatemala 2023, posing for photos during a gala event.

GROUNDBREAKING TURN: In a groundbreaking turn of events, the Miss Universe Nepal pageant made history as it crowned its first-ever plus-size winner, the sensational Jane Dipika Garrett. At age 22, Garrett, not only a nursing student but also a fierce advocate for body positivity, emerged victorious among 20 other contestants.

CORONATION NIGHT: The preliminary competition and the national costume show are set for November 15 and 16, respectively. The final coronation is set to take place next Saturday (November 18), where reigning Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel from the US will crown her successor.