Ramsgate business boss crowned Miss Great Britain Kent – just 12 weeks after daughter born by emergency C-section.

A Ramsgate business owner has been crowned Miss Great Britain Kent 2026 – just 12 weeks after her daughter was born by emergency C-section.

Charlotte Silver, who owns Silvers Showbar in Ramsgate and will mark 10 years of her Silver Slipper dance school this August, took the title at the Miss Great Britain pageant this weekend.

The 28-year-old has also launched an online page for new mums after reading that some new mothers can go two weeks at a time without adult interaction.

Charlotte gave birth to daughter Ronnie, who weighed 6lb 13oz and is named after her grandad, at QEQM Hospital on March 24 after nine months of Hyperemesis Gravidarum, an extreme form of pregnancy sickness.

She said: “My journey began last year when I announced my pregnancy on stage at the 80th Miss Great Britain National Final.

“Throughout my pregnancy, I suffered severely with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), a debilitating pregnancy sickness that completely took over my life for nine months. It was the most traumatic experience I’ve ever faced, leaving me physically and emotionally exhausted, depressed, and isolated.

“It was horrible, I was going to the hospital every week and at one point I was taking 35 tablets a day. I didn’t know anything about Hyperemesis until I had it, it isn’t just morning sickness, it is 24 hours a day. I would have to pull over when driving to be sick, I’d be teaching my dance students and would need to go and be sick. It was constant.”

After an emergency C-section, Ronnie, who had arrived two weeks early, was admitted to the special care baby unit.

Charlotte said: “I will forever be grateful to the incredible staff at QEQM who supported and cared for both of us during such a difficult time. After having Ronnie, I became determined to raise more awareness of Hyperemesis Gravidarum and to support other mums.

“I created Mums Who Dream, an online community where mums can connect through group chats, meet-ups, and shared experiences. As a new mum myself, I’ve found this support invaluable because motherhood comes with new challenges every day, and there is no manual on how to be a mum.”

Charlotte also decided to enter the Miss Great Britain Kent pageant after scooping the Miss Sussex title last year.

Charlotte is no stranger to the pageant circuit. In 2023 she won an international title in Las Vegas.

She was representing Margate and the UK after winning the Mrs Diamond UK pageant title in 2022,

The international competition had contenders from across the globe, including the United States, New Zealand, Australia and many others but it was Charlotte who was announced as the winning Mrs Regency International.

At last year’s event she announced her pregnancy and says she was determined to return this year to show that being a mum “doesn’t mean your dreams have to stop.”

Charlotte said: “I loved it last year and announced I was pregnant on stage but then I couldn’t enjoy the experience because I was so sick.

“Last year I won the title for Sussex but I really wanted to represent Kent. I wasn’t sure if I’d do it but then put myself forward a week before.”

Charlotte also won Best in Evening Wear, Miss Photogenic and Best in Swimwear.

She said (Best in Swimwear) was the biggest surprise of all, especially as I’m still healing and embracing my “mum tum.” Then, I was crowned Miss Great Britain Kent 2026!

“I am now heading to the National Finals in October, and I want to show the world that mums can still achieve their dreams. Motherhood doesn’t end our ambitions—it can make us even stronger. With determination, support, and self-belief, we can achieve anything.”

Charlotte is juggling her pageant title with motherhood and work. She said: “When you are your own boss you can’t just take time off. So, I take Ronnie to work with me and have created a nursery in my office with a cot, play mats, sterilisers, everything I need.

“It was thought I might suffer post natal depression because of how horrible the sickness was but I think I have gone the other way because now I am not being sick and I am just  so grateful for that.”