Serving King’s Guardsman beats off competition to be crowned Mr England
The soldier has performed ceremonial duties for the King’s Coronation and the Queen’s funeral, as well as training Ukrainian troops
THIS serving King’s Guardsman has been crowned Mr England.
L/Cpl Manuel Alcantara Turner, 22, beat 150 others to the title.
A soldier since he was 16, he guards the royal palaces in a bearskin and has attended the late Queen’s final birthday parade, her funeral as well as the King’s coronation.
Manuel, of Whitley Bay, Tyneside, said: “It’s an absolute honour to win this. I will represent my country well and hopefully make everyone proud.
“I have been based out of Windsor with the British Army and have been since I was 16 but I’m originally from Newcastle.
“Since being in the Kings Guard I’ve been on ceremonial duties for the King’s coronation and the Queen’s funeral as well as the Queen’s last birthday parade.
“In terms of actual soldiering I’ve been deployed twice to Kenya and have been training Ukrainians.
“This is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this, so I was quite nervous but I do think myself quite a charismatic kind of guy.
“I know my work would appreciate it and I checked with them just in case so time of fwork will not be an issue [for the Mr World contest].
“In terms of ambitions, it’s to serve my country. That has always has been my ambition and always will be.
“All I want to do is lay my life down for England so I think that’s pretty deserving for Mr England.”
He now has a chance to become Mr World in November — if he ticks all the right sentry boxes.
