Iris Mittenaere of France  // is crowned as the 65th Miss Universe // by last year's pageant winner Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach // from the Philippines in suburban Manila Monday morning. (EPA photo)

MANILA - A 23-year-old dental student from France // has won the Miss Universe crown in the annual pageant // held this year in the Philippines.

Iris Mittenaere // from the small town of Lille in northern France // said Monday // in reply to a final question from pageant host Steve Harvey  // that she would be honoured //  if she just landed among the three finalists, // but was visibly stunned  //  when she was announced // the winner among the field of 86 contestants.

Miss Haiti, Raquel Pelissier,  // a 25-year-old survivor of the devastating 2010 earthquake  // that destroyed her hometown,  // was named first runner up // while Miss Colombia, 23-year-old, Andrea Tovar,  // was second runner up.

Miss Thailand, Chalita "Namtan" Suansane, // reached the semi-finals of the pageant, // the last six women. //  It was the highest placing  // for a Thai in many years.

Nong Namtan, // a 21-year-old native of Samut Prakan, // won the world's votes in internet balloting.

The Maha Sarakham University microbiology student  // was following in the footsteps  // of the two previous Miss Universe winners from Thailand // - Apasra Hongsakula in 1965, // and Porntip Nakhirunkanok (now Porntip Bui Simon) in 1988.

The contest among the final six contestants // was answering a random question. //  Ms Chalita was asked  // who was the person she admired most, // and she answered through an interpreter that  // it was King Bhumibol, // for his work with the people.

Miss Myanmar Htet Htet Htun // won the best national costume  // depicting "Burmese Puppetry".

Miss Universe candidate from Myanmar Htet Htet Htun // wears a costume depicting "Burmese Puppetry" as she competes // during a national costume preliminary competition //  in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, // on Jan 26, 2017. (Reuters photo)