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The London Rose has won the world-famous Rose of Tralee festival in Ireland for 2010. She is Clare Kambamettu, a 26- year-old psychologist, daughter of Indian-born Dr. Ravi Kambamettu and his Irish wife Breda. Clare works for the NHS Substance Misuse service in London.

Billed as a pageant for the intelligent diaspora, The Rose of Tralee contest focuses on the girls’ personalities, skills, and abilities rather than just looks. They need to be good role models for young girls and the winner is expected to act as a goodwill ambassador for Tralee during her year as “The Rose”. During this time she will be involved in diplomatic and charitable engagements around Ireland and overseas.

Clare Kambamettu studied for her primary degree at Galway University in Ireland, moving then to King’s College, London, where she gained an M.Sc. in Mental Health. Now working in London, she has now applied to do a PhD in Psychology, focusing her research on the area of self-harm.

Clare is passionate about animals and is an active member of her local RSPCA branch. She has travelled through Europe, Asia and Australia, and is learning to play the didgeridoo. Clare will run a half-marathon in October in aid of the Children’s Starlight fund.

The Rose of Tralee festival was initiated in 1959 by a group of locals who set out to boost the faltering economy of their native town – their budget was £750. The London Rose has been crowned “Rose of Tralee” three times in the history of the competition – in 1975, Maureen Shannon took the title, last year it was London Rose Charmaine Kenny, and this week Clare Kambamettu has been crowned the 2010 “Rose of Tralee”.

Iona de Bogart