KATHMANDU: Newly crowned Miss Nepal World 2026 Deepmala Dhakal received an emotional welcome as she returned to her home in Valley Homes, Sunakothi, shortly after midnight on Saturday.

Hundreds of neighbours, relatives and well-wishers lined the streets with flowers as Dhakal, wearing her newly won crown, waved to the crowd from her vehicle during a celebratory procession to her residence.

Veteran actor Madan Krishna Shrestha also congratulated Dhakal after stepping onto his balcony, saying the Miss Nepal title had “brightened the entire colony.”

At home, her 83-year-old grandmother, Shila Kharel, welcomed her with a traditional aarti ceremony and expressed confidence that her granddaughter would go on to win the Miss World crown.

Dhakal’s victory also fulfilled a decades-old family dream. Her mother, Roshani Kharel, had competed in Nepal’s first Miss Nepal pageant but was unable to win the title.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Dhakal left a career at global investment firm BlackRock and chose to represent Nepal on the international stage.

Speaking to supporters, Dhakal said she had been confident of winning throughout the competition, a belief she credited for also earning the Miss Confidence award. She will represent Nepal at the Miss World 2027 pageant