Pia Wurtzbach dazzles in royal blue Michael Cinco gown in Miss Universe 2016 pageant

It took over a year for Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach to have her walk on the Miss Universe stage.

The moment was bittersweet as it was her final walk as the reigning queen.

Pia had missed her victory walk owing to a flub in announcing the winner last year.

She relinquished her crown to Miss France Iris Mittenaere in the Miss Universe 2016 grand coronation held earlier today, January 30, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Pia was resplendent as she stepped onto the Miss Universe stage in a royal blue, full skirt gown designed by Michael Cinco to bid her farewell as a titleholder.

A clear throwback to Pia’s Albert Andrada coronation gown, it seemed that her Miss Universe journey had truly gone full circle.

During her walk, Pia left messages of thanks to those who had showed their support throughout her reign.

Along with it, she left a message to her successor: “To the next Miss Universe, fasten your seat belt. At the end of your reign, you’ll have grown maturity, confidence, and faith.”