Charlotte Smith, competing for the title of Miss Royal South East London Junior Teen, has chosen to channel her experiences of cyberbullying into a powerful message of resilience. The Royal UK Pageants is a renowned national system aimed at empowering women by fostering self-confidence, life skills, and community involvement. For Charlotte, this pageant is more than just a competition; it’s a platform to inspire others facing similar struggles.
She told the News Shopper: "I just want to make everyone feel great and feel beautiful in their own body—no one should have to change the way they look because of someone else’s words." Charlotte’s campaign, Break the Silence, focuses on mental health and bullying, reflecting her personal journey of overcoming online harassment. She added: “I used to get cyber-bullied a lot online—they would add me to group chats and say I need to lose weight and tell me I am ugly”.
Despite the challenges, Charlotte has embraced new experiences and made lasting friendships since joining the pageant. She said: "I started doing pageants in March this year when I took part in the Miss Galaxy pageant." This November, she'll be competing not only to win but also to raise awareness about bullying and promote confidence in her community.
As part of her pageant responsibilities, Charlotte has been actively involved in charity work across Bexleyheath and Welling, even raising £95 for the endometriosis charity. (Image: Charlotte Smith) The superst.