Michelle Dee. Images: Instagram/@themissuniverseph, Instagram/@voltairetayag
Days after her coronation night, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee has officially received the replica of her La Mer en Majesté crown from organizers.
Interestingly, reigning queens apparently don’t get to keep their crowns that were put on their heads during coronation, as it’s meant to be passed on to their successors as a symbol of luck.
Dee made the announcement on her Instagram Stories on Thursday May 18, when she received a replica of her crown during an intimate dinner with MUPh creative and events director Jonas Gaffud and MUPh director of communications Voltaire Tayag.
“Little do people know that the reigning queens never get to keep the crowns. We pass it on along with all the good luck it holds,” she said, although she didn’t disclose if this rule applies to all pageant titleholders.
The reigning queen then added that she requested a replica of her golden crown from the MUPh organization’s executives as a way of paying tribute to her “hard work and sacrifices.” Her request was eventually granted by Tayag and Gaffud soon after.
“Needless to say, I always wanted a replica to symbolize all of the hard work and sacrifices it took to get this far,” she said. “WHAT A DREAM. @voltairetayag. Thank you for turning that into a reality. You don’t know how much this means to me.”
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@michelledee
The reigning titleholder also shared a glimpse of the intimate dinner with Tayag and Gaffud at an undisclosed restaurant, where they have yet to reveal the details of their meeting.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@michelledee
Tayag also shared a photo of a bespectacled Dee who appeared to be shocked with the crown’s replica.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@voltairetayag
The La Mer en Majesté crown, also known as “Sea Majesty” crown, is composed of 17 golden South Sea pearls, and is valued at P3 million to P5 million. The stunning headpiece produced by luxury brand Jewelmer represents beauty, harmony, and rarity.
The crown was first unveiled in April 2022, and was worn by Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi and then Dee. The headpiece replaced the “Filipina” crown that was worn by previous titleholders Rabiya Mateo and Beatrice Gomez. EDV