Tomorrow sees the final of Miss World 2014 being held in London: the birthplace of the world's most famous beauty pageant.
Created in 1951 by Eric Morley as a way of promoting bingo halls, Miss World has evolved in a global industry and media event.
Over the decades, it has earned the scorn of feminists for objectifying women judged for their looks. But Miss World's supporters defend the beauty competition, for having raised more than £250m for children's charities since it first began.
27th July 1951: Competitors in the first Miss World contest at the Empire Rooms on Tottenham Court Road, LondonPhoto by Edward Miller/Keystone/Getty ImagesAfter becoming Miss World 1955 at the Lyceum Ballroom, London, Carmen Susana Duijm Zubillaga of Venezuela is congratulated by the runners-up, Margaret Anne Haywood (left) of the US and Julia Coumoudourou of GreeceTerry Fincher/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesNorma Gladys Cappagli of Argentina with four runners-up after being crowned Miss World 1960 at the Lyceum ballroom. With her are (left to right) Gola Golan of Israel, Denise Muir of South Africa, Judith Ann Achter of the US and Ingrun Helgard Moeckel of GermanyEdward Miller/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesA mob of press photographers in London clamour to photograph the winner of the 1966 'Miss World' beauty contest: 23-year old Rita Faria, previously 'Miss India'Fox Photos/Getty ImagesThe 1970 Miss World contest was invaded by feminist demonstrators. Protestors fired ink at spectators and let off stink bombs. The demonstrators were eventually expelled from the Royal Albert hall by security guards and policemenLeonard Burt/Central Press/Getty ImagesThe Women's Liberation movement protesting against the Miss World contest in 1970W. Breeze/Evening Standard/Getty ImagesMembers of the Women's Liberation Movement protesting against the 1971 Miss World Contest outside the Royal Albert Hall, LondonChris Djukanovic/Getty ImagesMembers of Britain's Women's Liberation movement demonstrating outside the Royal Albert Hall, London, where the 1971 Miss World competition is taking place. Their banners read 'Who does your body belong to?' and 'Miss World - Man's World'Photo by Frank Barratt/Getty ImagesMiss Canada sits under the hairdryer, preparing for the 1973 Miss World competitionEvening Standard/Getty ImagesContestants in the 1973 Miss World Contest line up during one of the elimination roundsEvening Standard/Getty ImagesSilvana Suarez (Miss Argentina) wins the title of Miss World 1978 at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Surrounding her are the runners-up, (left to right) Miss Mexico, Miss Sweden, Miss Australia and Miss SpainPhoto by Rob Taggart/Central Press/Getty ImagesMiss India Sushmita Sen (L), is left stunned while Miss Colombia Carolina Gomez shouts with joy as she is announced the new Miss Universe 1994, in Manila. The 18-year-old model from New Delhi beat 76 other contestants to become the first Indian winner of the world's most prestigious beauty pageant. Miss Colombia Carolina Gomez was the first runner-up and Miss Venezuela the second runner-up.Romeo Gacad/AFP/Getty ImagesAnti-sexism protesters throw flour at guests before the Miss World competition in 1999. The protesters blocked the entrance until police cleared a path for guestsAdrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images
