Saudi Arabia to participate in Miss Universe event

Saudi Arabia officially joined the Miss Universe pageant with Rumy Alqahtani as the Islamic country's first-ever representative.

Saudi Arabia officially joined the Miss Universe pageant with Rumy Alqahtani as the Islamic country's first-ever representative.

This is another step for Saudi Arabia, which has been shedding its conservative cloak under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

Rumy Alqahtani, a 27-year-old model, on Monday shared on Instagram that she would be the first participant from the country in the international beauty pageant.

"This is the first participation of Saudi Arabia in the Miss Universe competition," Rumy wrote on Instagram.

This is the first time that Saudi Arabia will be participating in the Miss Universe beauty pageant, The Khaleej Times and ABC News reported.