Shan Lucien receives royal welcome as she returns home as Miss Jaycees Queen

Shan Lucien, the newly crowned Miss Jaycees Queen, returned home to Saint Lucia to a grand welcome, marking an end to a 39-year wait for the prestigious crown to return to the island.

Minister of Tourism, Dr Ernest Hilaire himself, visited Lucien to welcome her with huge celebrations as she landed at the airport.

Other officials who joined the celebrations included the Chairperson of the Carnival Committee, Tamara Gibson, Chairperson of the Carnival Queen Committee, Trevor King, Lucien’s parents, and several media representatives.

The queen arrived at the airport in a blue-coloured gown dress, which complimented her silver crown as she walked down the plane.

As she was welcomed with a bouquet and several baskets at the airport’s lounge, Miss Jaycees Queen broke down in tears over her historic win.

Shan dazzled the competition, winning several other titles, including Most True to Theme, Best Talent, Best Modeling in Evening Wear, and Best Evening Wear.

Minister Hilaire shared glimpses of her grand welcome at the airport through his official Facebook account and remarked, “2024 has been a year of celebration for Saint Lucia. After 39 years, Helen, the 238 square mile land, has been crowned Miss Jaycees 2024 once again.”

“Our current Carnival Queen, Shan Lucien, took the competition by storm, receiving unwavering support from all those present on the night. Shan has once again proven why she deserves to be treated as royalty and has joined a long list of Saint Lucian heroes,” he further added.

The Minister also said that his team had kind of predicted that Shan will be bringing the crown back to the island this year.

Shan Lucien also gave remarks during the brief celebration and said that she is elated to be back home as Miss Jaycees Queen and also to have received such a warm welcome from everybody. “I have undoubtedly received immense support from my family, friends, team and from the public and kit just feels my heart is filled with such joy that I have been able to make everybody so proud,” she added.

After her welcome at the airport, she joined the celebratory parade through the streets of Castries to Rodney Bay, culminating in a joyous welcome cocktail held in her honor; during the parade, she was seen waving the Saint Lucian flag as she sat in the open car.

Following her huge victory, social media was also flooded with congratulatory messages, and her mother, Priscilla Lucien’s message became the most viral.

She wrote on Facebook that she is so proud of Shan and added, “From never walking/modeling on a stage before April and winning two crowns within a few weeks of each other! This shows determination, guts, resilience, and more. Your team had faith in you. Saint Lucia had faith in you. Congratulations. You have made Saint Lucia proud.”