HONG KONG – The newly crowned Miss Hong Kong 2026, Bernice Yuen, returned to her Tuen Mun home around 1 a.m. Monday to a tearful, banner-waving welcome from childhood friends, capping a triumphant night that saw her take the top prize at the annual pageant.
Yuen, known as Bernice to fans, earned the title during the competition held Sunday evening in Hong Kong. The 25-year-old beat out first runner-up Dorothy Deng, as well as double third-place finisher Stephanie Li, who also won the “Most Photogenic” award, and “Miss Friendship” honoree Charlotte Li.
Upon arriving at her residence, Yuen was greeted by a throng of longtime friends who threw confetti and shouted “Bernice, if you aren’t famous, heaven is wrong!” The emotional scene, captured by local TVB show “East-West Tonight,” showed Yuen wiping tears as she embraced her supporters. Her parents presented her with bouquets and offered starkly different scoring: her father gave her 201 points, her mother 200, and a friend jokingly awarded 1,000.
Family Support and a Surprise Confession
Yuen’s mother, visibly moved, told reporters, “She is such a good girl. We are so happy. She was natural, calm, and confident.” She added, “She doesn’t need to say sorry. We will always support whatever she wants to do. As long as she is happy, we are happy.”
Her father revealed that Yuen’s passion for dance was discovered in primary school. “We let her join every dance class we could find,” he said. At that moment, Yuen broke down again. “My parents rarely say such emotional things,” she explained. “They are both reserved. They show support without saying it. Hearing it directly now is truly touching.”
Dating Questions and a Father’s Humor
The night took a lighthearted turn when a male friend who had been actively sharing Yuen’s pageant journey was suddenly blocked from commenting on her posts. When host asked if Yuen currently has a boyfriend or anyone she is dating, she firmly replied, “No.” Her father interjected with a grin: “There shouldn’t be anyone in this group.” Pressed on whether he was hinting at something, he added, “Of course not. She’s beautiful, lots of friends are after her. But she hasn’t brought anyone home to meet me, so that means no.”
Broader Impact
The Miss Hong Kong pageant, now in its 51st year, remains a major cultural event in the city. Organizers emphasized this year’s focus on intelligence and poise over mere appearance. Yuen’s victory, celebrated in a working-class district like Tuen Mun, highlights the event’s expanding reach beyond traditional glamour circles. She is expected to take on ambassador roles for local charities and tourism campaigns in the coming months.
Yuen, a university graduate, plans to use her platform to advocate for youth arts education. As she said through tears Sunday night, “To see my friends and family here – this isn’t just my win. It’s ours.”
