King's Guard Crowned Mr England, Set to Compete for Mr World Title

Manuel Alcantara Turner, a 22-year-old Lance Corporal in the Coldstream Guards, has been crowned Mr England 2024. The competition, held on August 20, 2024, in Leicester, saw Turner emerge victorious among 12 finalists selected from over 150 initial entries.

The event, hosted by the current Miss England, Milla Magee, required contestants to participate in a catwalk round, fashion shoot, and interview. Turner's success marks a historic moment as he becomes the first soldier to claim the Mr England title.

Turner's military background played a significant role in his victory. As a member of the King's Guard, he participated in several high-profile royal events, including the late Queen's funeral on September 19, 2022, and King Charles III's coronation on May 6, 2023. He also took part in the Queen's last birthday parade, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1748.

"All I want to do is lay my life down for England so I think that's pretty deserving for Mr England."

The Lance Corporal, originally from Whitley Bay in Tyne and Wear, joined the army at 16, crediting the experience with transforming him from a "boy into a man." His service with the Coldstream Guards, the oldest continuously serving regular regiment in the British Army, has included two deployments to Kenya and involvement in training Ukrainian forces as part of Operation Orbital.

Turner is based at Victoria Barracks near Windsor Castle, the world's oldest and largest occupied castle. As a member of the Coldstream Guards, he wears the iconic bearskin cap, a tradition dating back to the 1830s, embodying the regiment's motto "Nulli Secundus" (Second to None).

The newly crowned Mr England expressed his commitment to representing his country, stating, "It's an absolute honour to win this. I will represent my country well and hopefully make everyone proud." He emphasized that his primary ambition remains serving his country through his military duties.

Turner's next challenge will be representing England at the Mr World competition, scheduled for November 2024 in Vietnam. This biennial event, established in 1996, will provide him with an international platform to showcase his qualities and potentially bring home another title for England.

The Mr England competition, running since 1998, has never before crowned a serving soldier. Turner's victory highlights the diverse backgrounds and experiences that can lead to success in such contests, bridging the gap between military service and pageantry.

As Turner prepares for the global stage, he carries with him not only the title of Mr England but also the weight of his experiences as a dedicated serviceman, ready to represent his country in a new arena.