Ballinamallard girl Judith Wilson ended her Miss Northern Ireland reign on a high on Monday with the engagement to her boyfriend of three years, Gareth Grey.
It was an emotional day all round for the qualified music teacher, who later went on to hand over her crown to the 2009 Miss Northern Ireland.
Cherie Gardiner from Bangor was awarded the new title at a glittering gala awards ceremony at Belfast's Europa Hotel where Judith had sat on this year's judging panel.
Gareth, who runs Killadeas-based ice-cream company, Tickety-Moo, with his brother-in-law Steven Giles, popped the question on top of the Belfast Eye.
He coaxed Judith on to the big wheel after suggesting that the pair do something special to mark the end of her reign. And, it was a beaming Judith who was finally able to put her feet back on the ground when she emerged from the capsule having accepted Gareth's proposal.
He had planned the moment for a number of days having asked the permission of Judith's parents.
And, adding a special touch, Gareth even borrowed a family heirloom for the occasion, a ring belonging to Judith's mother, Ingrid, to make the day all the more memorable for his new financée.
"Gareth had planned to come up to Belfast so we could spend some time together in the afternoon," Judith explained to the 'Herald'. "I had to be in the Europa for five o'clock so before that he said why not go up on the big wheel to enjoy my final day as Miss Northern Ireland.
"We got into a VIP booth and had done one round on the wheel and were coming to the bottom again when Gareth got down on one knee and asked me to marry him."
Judith said the pair had discussed marriage but the proposal still came as a surprise.
"We had talked about it but with Miss Northern Ireland, there had been so much going on. So it was great, great news. I rang Alison Campbell, (Miss Northern Ireland organiser) and she was delighted but she told me not to say anything until last night. So I told my family and close friends but didn't say anything to anyone else. Then when I was being interviewed on stage by Frank Mitchell, he said 'I hear you have some news?' and then I said that Gareth and I had got engaged."
While she is still wearing her mother's heirloom, Judith and Gareth plan to go ring shopping tomorrow, Thursday.
Turning to the Miss Northern Ireland Final, Judith said that it was a day for emotions.
"It went really well. I was in a really good mood for the Final. I took part in the fashion show and then I handed the title over to 17-year-old Cherie, who is a lovely girl.
"It was an emotional day all round and people were congratulating me on the engagement. I was shattered by the end of the night."
Judith spent most of yesterday helping the new Miss Northern Ireland relax into her new role. She was then looking forward to coming home to Fermanagh for a well-earned break.
Not forgetting her personal Miss World experience, Judith sets off on holiday to Malta next Tuesday where she will meet up with fellow contestants Miss Malta and Miss Norway. Upon her return, she will continue to work for Alison Campbell Modelling Agency.
As for a wedding date, Judith has no immediate plans.
"My sister Eloise is getting married next April so I will be concentrating on that. I will be enjoying the engagement and this time for now."
