Selection of participants Sixteen contestants were selected to compete in the pageant. Two contestants were appointed to represent their countries after being a runner-up in their national pageants.
Replacements Cristina Fanton, the first runner-up of Miss Italy 1954, was appointed to represent Italy after Miss Italy 1954, Eugenia Bonino, was involved in an accident. The second runner-up of Miss France 1954, Claudine Bleuse, was appointed to represent France after Miss France 1954, Monique Lambert, chose not to fly to London to compete in Miss World.
Debuts, returns, and withdrawals This edition marked the debut of Belgium, Italy and Turkey, and the return of Ireland, which last competed in
1952. Malka Rozenblat of Israel withdrew after Israeli organizers discovered that she was married. Although married contestants were allowed to compete at this time, Israel did not allow married titleholders to represent their country internationally. Mona Stornes of Norway withdrew after choosing to get married in the United States. Monte-Carlo withdrew from the competition after its respective organization failed to hold a national competition or appoint a delegate. == Results ==