Santo Domingo, Apr 27 (IANS/EFE): Carlina Duran accepted the decision of organizers of the Miss Dominican Republic competition to strip her of her crown after verifying that she was married in violation of contest requirements.

Duran, a 26-year-old professional model, said she regretted the situation and attributed it to her "inexperience" in a communication read at the ceremony where the new Miss Dominican Republic, Dulcita Lieggi, was crowned.

Duran admitted that she married in 2009, but she said that the marriage never crystallized as per an agreement with her spouse, shortly thereafter, to annul the nuptials.

"That relationship ended a short time later and we agreed to an annulment proceeding for the marriage," she said.

Duran, who is the first Miss Dominican Republic ever to be deposed, apologized to everyone and said that she hoped that her replacement has all the success she had wanted for herself in the Miss Universe competition.

The new Dominican beauty queen said during the ceremony that she was "rather surprised" by what occurred with Duran.

"At this time I feel a combination of sadness and happiness, in the first place because she is a friend who is going through a difficult moment, but on the other hand I feel happy to represent my country at the Miss Universe" competition, the 22-year-old added.