Miss Gibraltar, Kaiane Aldorino, won the Miss World competition in South Africa on Saturday, after seeing off early favourite Miss Puerto Rico and England's entrant, a soldier nicknamed "Combat Barbie".
Miss Aldorino, 22, said she "had no words" to describe her feelings following her win at a glitzy awards ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa. However she did manage to say she was "really happy".
Miss England, otherwise known as Lance Corporal Katrina Hodge, 22, a soldier in the Royal Anglian Regiment, failed to make it through in the sports heat after spraining her ankle during training.
"I'm sad to say none of us UK girls made it through to the final round, but I never expected to even be here," she said.
"There are a few tears here backstage and some of the girls are not talking to anyone."
L/Cpl Hodge was drafted in to compete in the contest last month after the original Miss England winner Rachel Christie relinquished her title following her arrest over an alleged nightclub brawl.
But the soldier was magnanimous in defeat, praising Miss Aldorino.
She said: "I was so proud to represent England in Miss World in front of two billion viewers; I'm chuffed to bits for Miss Gibraltar, the winner.
"She is a real natural beauty who wasn't expecting to win at all."
She added: "I've enjoyed every minute of it and looking forward to my six months' reign as Miss England when I get back, as I want to use my title to promote the British Army. Well done Gibraltar!"
Also taking part in the finals in Johannesburg were Miss Scotland - Katharine Brown, Miss Wales - Lucy Whitehouse, and Miss Ireland - Laura Patterson.
L/Cpl Hodge, who was first runner-up in the 2009 national contest, was promoted after Miss Christie, 21, stepped down as she wanted to concentrate on clearing her name, the Miss England organisers said.
She was given five weeks' leave from her duties to represent England in South Africa.
Since arriving in Johannesburg she reached the last 20 in the Miss World talent round in the run-up to the final but then suffered the injury.
She explained: "I was so disappointed not to make the final in the sports round as it involved an assault course - I saw that round as my best chance, being a soldier."
After being named Miss England, L/Cpl Hodge told how she hoped her role as an all-action beauty queen would be positive for young people who only saw digitally enhanced models in the media.
She has already served in Iraq but said she was hoping to join comrades on the frontline in Afghanistan after stepping down as Miss England in July next year.
The soldier, whose parents live in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, added: "We are taught in training that we are first and foremost a soldier.
"When I am a soldier I have my hair scraped back and no make-up."
She was given an award by her unit in the Royal Anglian Regiment for her actions during a posting in Basra and has earned the nickname "Combat Barbie" L/Cpl Hodge.
First runner-up was Miss Mexico, Perla Beltran Acosta, while Miss South Africa, Tatum Keshwar, was the second runner-up.
