A Royal Wrap-up!

one save the Times-Picayune's Nell Nolan can wrap up the Rex Ball and Meeting of the Courts of Rex and Comus in that delicious, unmistakale style of hers. Here, then, is her on-the-spot chronicle of a very merry finale:

A confluence of Crown'd heads!

All that glistened flowed into the rivulets of Royalty when a Hailed Foursome stood together on the stage set up at the Grande Ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott Hotel on Mardi Gras Night and acknowledged their enthrall'd and most loyal subjects, all of whom were dazzled by the sparkling sensation of the brilliants, paillettes and rhinestones that enhanced the Monarchal appointments. And yet it was not just the Crowns and the gowns, the Sceptres and the Goblet that captivated the crowd --- it was also the quartet of individuals chosen to rule during this rather short-spaced 2008 Carnival and the glorious gallivanting of the Rex and Comus Balls.

Limelighted for the Rex Royalty was their King and Queen --- John Edward Koerner III and Ellen Rogers Logan; whilst their regal Comus counterparts were the unidentified Comus, along with Her Majesty, Queen Virginia Downman Kerr. In the closing moments of Carnival, the Royals dominated the stage at the Bal Masque of the Court of Comus for the traditional Meeting of the Courts. The sequence of the Sceptres and the Cup of Comus all moved in an elegant sweep in this time-honored fashion, and to much ovation. Tradition went hand-in-white-glov'd-hand with our Monarchy.

The venues for both gala Balls --- the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel for Rex and, just across Canal Street, the Marriott for Comus --- figured well in the festivity, as did the crossing of the downtown street by the Rex Royalty and their entourage to appear at the Comus Ball.

Johnny and Ellen both have extensive Carnival connections: His Merry Majesty's late mother-in-law, Dolly Anne Souchon Johnsen, reigned as Queen of Carnival in 1949. Dolly's husband, Erik Frithhof Johnsen, was 1991's Rex. Annie, John's wife, was a Rex Maid in the 1971 Court; and their eldest son, Johnny IV, was a page in 1995, then, 11 years later, a Duke.

For Queen Ellen, Dukedoms tapped her great-grandpa, Dr. George King Logan, in 1907, as well as her father, King (who continues in that name) in 1974. Two other major connections belong to Ellen's older sister, Ginger Zatarain Logan, Rex Maid in 2003, and her aunt, Margaret ("Puff") Logan, now Mrs. Milton Fried, who bore the Sceptre in 1975.

That same year, Alston Montgomery wore the crown of the Queen of Comus. Ginnie Kerr and her parents, Alston and her husband, John Hervey Kerr III, hail from Lexington, Kentucky. In 1975, Puff and Alston were headliners at that year's Meeting of the Courts. This year, a Royal Redux of sorts occured with Puff's niece and Alston's little girl wearing the Queens' robes.

As a sub-deb, Ellen was Harlequin Queen at the Orleans Club, while debutante Ginger was this year's Queen of the Atlanteans.

50 years ago, Rex honored his 1958 Queen, Ainslee Dinwiddle, who this night returned to be presented to Their Merry Majesties 2008, joined by her husband, Pete Grannis and their son, Wilcox Snellings.

Many Carnival connections have dominated the Kerr family, too --- Queen Virginia's maternal grandmother, Anne Cameron Kock, now Mrs. George R. Montgomery, was Comus Queen in 1947, and Alston, Annie's daughter, succeeded her some 28 years later. Now, with Virginia as yet another Monarch of the Mistick Krewe, they are the only living-at-the-same-time, direct line of three Comus Queens!

After the most recent Rex Parade passed in front of the Morris-Downman House on St. Charles Avenue, the house of the Montgomery family, and that of Anne's son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. William Grace, Jr., one more flag of Comus was thus hoisted on Fat Tuesday. Bill was Rex a few years ago, while Annie Ray Montgomery was 1973 Atlantean Queen.

The 2008 King of Comus has seen several of his own generations in his family and that of his wife. As per Carnival tradition, they and their organizations must never be named.

Looking back to last year's Meeting of the Courts, Rex was ruled by Ronald French and Brooke Hastings Parker; while Comus' Queen was Ashby Geary. Dr. French's wife, who shares his birthday, reigned with Rex as Flora Fener. She will be next year's 50th Anniversary Queen at the Rex Ball.

Earlier in the day, Rex's 2008 Parade, dedicated to the theme Royal Rivers, saluted familiar area bodies of water. In a Rex first, the Parade was dedicated to the memory of the late B. Temple Brown, Jr., Rex 1992, who had conceived and proposed this year's Parade theme. Joining the jovial Johnny on the Rex float were His Merry Majesty's Pages, Alex Tebo and Harry B. Kelleher IV (Comus Page last year, and grandson and great-grandson of Rexes bearing his name!).

As our happy heroes rode along, Rex 2008 made toasts at several stops, notably at the Hotel InterContinental, --- in front of his Courtiers, his own --- and, some three blocks away, at the Pickwick Club, where the Comus Queen and her Court, along with several of the Mistick Krewe's dignitairies viewed the Rex Parade. Pickwick Club President Joseph Murphy, Jr. was first to greet Rex, welcoming him on behalf of the Pickwick Club and all of New Orleans. The King spoke, saying how happy he was being there, and looking forward to spending the evening with Queen Virginia and the Comus Court. She in turn wished the King a lovely day. One bystander then toasted Rex with a Barq's root beer, in playful salute to the 19 years His Merry Majesty spent as Founder, President and co-owner of Barq's, Inc.

Also earlier, on the viewing balcony, Joe Simon's Jazzmakers added musical noteworthiness with Rex's theme song, "If Ever I Cease to Love," which obviously was sung and played over and over throughout the day. One other musical moment added some levity: As the Louisiana State University Marching Tigers arrived before the reviewing stand, they faced Queen Virginia of Comus with the lyrical line, "I wanna know if you'll be my girl."

Hours later, and after at least three of the Royals had a little quality time with their nearest and dearest, it was time for the Rex Ball to begin over at the Sheraton.

The 2008 Rex Maids and Dukes, then: Catherine Crosby and Parker Koerner (son of Rex and his wife); Katherine Saer and William Danvers Hales; Kingsley Blum and Chris Sarpy; Maggie Bryan and Clay Smith; Amelie Rose LeBreton (Amelie's grandma was 1941's Comus Queen) and Peter H. Dupuy Jr. (grandson, brother and nephew of Rex Royalty); Kelly Reilly and Scott Powell, both of whom have Royal sisters; Elizabeth Elliott and Joey Sanford; and Ashley Morgan and Pat Gillin. Many other links to the Make-believe Monarchs are evident in all the Maids and Dukes' families.

The 2008 Debutantes: Claire Connick, Caroline and Martha Cockerham, Eugenie Grevemberg, Marcelle Robert and Ashley Robichaux. Being 2007-08 Debutantes, Misses Blum, LeBreton, Elliott, Morgan and Grevemberg have all wielded the Sceptres of Mystery, 12th Night, the Atlanteans, Protues and Nereus. The 12th Nighters' Coronation Ball kicks off Carnival season in New Orleans; the Rex Ball and Meeting of the Courts concludes it.

Acknowledged as dignitaries at this 137th Grande Ball of the King of Carnival were: Lt. Gen. Robert Elder, Jr., Cmdr., 8th Air Force; Rear Admiral Joel Whitehead, Cmdr., 8th U.S. Coast Guard, District of New Orleans; and Nobel Prize laureate Dr. Bengt Samuelsson, who spent a few moments conversing with Dr. Nick Bazan, who, accompanied by his family, hosted a formal breakfast for his float co-riders on the morning of the Parade.

The Ball's General Chairmen were two former Rexes: R. King Milling and Denis Henry MacDonald.

With the presentations thus made, and the Royals properly enthroned, the Rex Krewe members, their wives and/or female guests surged forward, in the customary rows of five or six couples to pay homage to Their Merry Majesties. The opening dance was, as always, reserved for the Court members and their ladies.

As Rex-goers approached the Throne, they got a closer look at Queen Ellen's regal attire --- a glittering gown, designed by Cathie Stuckey, shining in Rex's familiar gold, and made with metallic embroidered French lace over gold dupioni lame. Adornment was from Austrian crystals, paillettes, and golden bugle beads. Wide-scalloped lace bands embellished with crystal bands defined the Imperialesque bodice, forming a triangular inset in the front of the A-line skirt, which ended in a full court train. The finishing touches were the specially designed gold pparure, Rex Medici collar, mantle, and Sceptre annd Crown.

Over at the Comus Bal Masque at the Marriott, Queen Virginia was dazzling in pure silver. Also fashioned on Imperial themes, Judy Cobb's design, created for Alice Designs, was of silver Chantilly lace over silk chiffon lame. The linear motif of the lace created a wide, intricate scalloped border at the hemline of both skirt and train. Mass quantities of sparkling Austrian rhinestones, flashing margaritas, silver bugle beads and crystals encrusted Queen Virginia's regal robe. Her Majesty of Comus wore the customary Medici collar of silver lace, all aglow with rhinestones, and completed the lush raiments with a magnificent mantle, and gloriously glittering Crown and Sceptre.

The Maids of Comus 2008: Louise Acomb, Tippi and Elizabeth Eliis, Kelly Geary, Caroline Seady Gray, Mia Scoggin, Elaine Saussy Stewart and Cameron Yancey --- all clad in white ball dresses of their own choosing. Prior to the February 5th doings, half of these lovelies had borne their own Royal Sceptres --- Louise, Queen of Mithras; Tippi Ellis, Queen of Oberon; Betsy Ellis, Queen of Osiris; and Elaine Stewart, Queen of the Achaens.

Queen Virginia's Royal Pages were Price Butcher (whose mom, formerly Helen Nalty, was a Queen of Comus) and Davey Charbonnet (grandson and nephew of Rex Royals John Charbonnet and Annie Goliwas). The Comus King's Pages were Louis LeBourgeois IV and Billy Nelson.

Serving as General Chairman of the Comus Ball was Earl LeCorgne, Jr. His wife, formerly Grace Phillips Parker, is a relative of Annie Parker Koerner, and reigned as Comus Queen for 1952. Another erstwhile Royal who was in on the festivities was a one-time Mistick Club Queen, Georgia Monsted (now Mrs. Richard L.) Simmons.

The Logans and the Kerrs entertained loads of accolades regarding the loveliness of their fair ladies, as did Queen Ellen's four attending grandparents --- Dr. and Mrs. Sam Logan and Dr. and Mrs. Al Bertucci. Annie Koerner was regaled with compliments on her glorious Johnny, who, in turn, had this to say about his Consort: "My Queen was beautiful!" As for Queen Virginia's dad, John Kerr was especially proud that a key highlight of the evening was escorting two previous Queens, Alston, his wife, and Anne Montgomery, her mom, up to the Throne, to greet their sparkling third generation and radiant successor.

The two Queens for 2008 have surnames with distinctly Scottish connections: On the crest badge of the Kerrs is inscribed the motto "The sun in his splendor," which would describe, in ironic reverse, the nocturnal dazzle of the meeting of the Four Monarchs and all their fulgent finery; whereas the Logans' motto is "This is the valor of my ancestors." For both Virginia and Ellen, family and the love of family and the family's enjoying the wonder of Carnival were properly partnered in their Royal Reigns.

After the Meeting of the Courts --- and the sweep of the Cup and Three Sceptres, the final great gesture in the waning moments of Mardi Gras 2008 --- the next moves to be made were back across Canal Street to the Sheraton's Napoleon Ballroom, for the wondrous revels of the Supper of the Two Queens.

And thus do we turn to the Future, when the admiring glances of the Four Monarchs will be repeated anew, but with different principals. (Those possessed of Carnival savvy are already guessing as to who will be honored come February 24th, 2009, along with who shall wear the great Crowns before then.) As they have for generations, the power that brings merriment and mystique together shall be regenerated once more --- and, like the Royal Rivers, regale all New Orleanians with Carnival confluence!