Miss Universe Canada 2025 Carries Daughter on Stage in Emotional Crown Handover

Jaime VandenBerg, Miss Universe Canada 2025, shared a deeply personal moment during the Miss Universe Canada 2026 finals in Windsor, Ontario. Instead of the traditional solo walk, VandenBerg appeared on stage holding her young daughter, Charlotte Nicole Hernandez-VandenBerg. This act symbolized the close of her reign and her journey as a mother.

Charlotte had been with VandenBerg even during the Miss Universe 2025 international pageant in Thailand, though her presence was a closely guarded secret. VandenBerg was approximately four months pregnant at the time and chose not to inform her family or the Miss Universe Canada organization. She and her partner, Aaron Hernandez, wanted to keep this significant life change private.

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We did not tell family or the Miss Universe Canada organization at that time.

VandenBerg explained that keeping her pregnancy private allowed her to savor the personal experience amidst the public scrutiny of her role as a beauty queen. She worried that announcing her pregnancy might distract from her dedication and preparation for the international competition. Initially, she even considered withdrawing from Miss Universe 2025.

However, support from Hernandez encouraged her to continue. After consulting with her doctor and ensuring her health, VandenBerg competed in Thailand. She subtly adapted her wardrobe, opting for looser styles as her pregnancy progressed, which helped maintain the secrecy. The pregnancy was officially announced in March 2026, and Charlotte was born on May 14, 2026. VandenBerg described her daughter's arrival as a blessing, noting that while they weren't actively trying to start a family, she and Hernandez had discussed the possibility and felt ready.

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We weren't specifically trying to start a family, but Aaron and I had talked a lot about the possibility of pregnancy.