In keeping with tradition, the Krewe of King Arthur honored the legend of the Knights of the Round Table that protected Camelot, the Lady of the Lake, Lancelot and the Excalibur Sword in the Stone at their annual bal masque Saturday at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel with the theme “King Arthur Breaks a Leg on Broadway.”
The captain’s whistle alerted the attendees the time had come for the krewe to unveil their 47th anniversary royal pageantry.
Reigning as Queen Guinevere XLVII was Ms. Meghan Harwell Bitoun, daughter of Mr. Jeffrey Harwell and Ms. Robin Harwell. Her gown of white dupioni silk was embellished with Austrian rhinestones, navy and crystal inlays and a custom rhinestone crown.
Maids were Ms. Charisse Brown, portraying Eleanor, the duchess of Aquitaine; Ms. Dawn Lapeyrolerie, Gwenllian of Wales; Miss Mackenzie Caballero, Lady of Jorvik; Ms. Jody Braunig, Warrior Queen of Boudica; and Ms. Grace Roberts, Gwendolen, Queen Regent of Britain. Also serving as maids were Ms. Kendall Scales Glade, Queen of Orkney; Ms. Stefanie de Abreu, Lady of Brittany, the Constance of Normandy; Miss Ily Fricano, the Grail Maiden Elaine; and Ms. Hollie O’Keeffe, the Lady of the Lake.
Serving as pages to the queen were Misses Evelen Crawford and Carrow Elliott Glade, daughters of Mr. Leonard Michael Glade and Ms. Glade. Miss Elliot Ines Bitoun, the daughter of the queen and Dr. Jacob Bitoun, was the scepter princess.
Junior maids included Misses Cynthia and Madeline Smith, daughters of Dr. Michael Smith and Ms. Dawn Smith.
The lady-in-waiting was Miss Alahnah Joline Usand, the daughter of Mr. Adrian Usand and Ms. Lindsey Usand.
The captain, Mr. Phillip Fricano, celebrated his anniversary as founder. The youngest captain ever to form a krewe, at the age of 17, he portrayed his love for Carnival in a navy silk tunic trimmed in Austrian crystals. His collar featured the dragon of Camelot and was decorated in navy and gold rhinestones.
The captain's shadows were Masters Isaiah Jordan and Arthur “Archie” Holden Bitoun, sons of Dr. and Ms. Bitoun, a role Dr. Bitoun held for many years in his youth.
Other important characters included Ms. Susan Donnelly McLachlan as Morgana le Fay, Mr. James Zanewicz as Merlin the Magician, Mr. Fabian Errol Miller as Sir Lancelot and Mr. Joseph Andrew Tate as Sir Dagonet.
Reigning as King Arthur XLVII was Mr. Chad Michael Holbrook. His majesty wore an Imperial-style tunic of white dupioni silk trimmed in gold and silver, featuring navy rhinestone appliqués matching those on the queen's gown. His mantle featured the same motif. His custom Arthurian crown was platinum with clear Swarovski crystals.
Dukes to his majesty were Messrs. Casey Don Chance, Brian C. Lapeyrolerie, Ryan Charles Perez, Dwayne Farlough, Lee Melancon III, Demetrie E. Ford and Shawn Lofton Carroll.
Serving as pages were Masters William “Liam” Matthew Belvins Moreland, son of Matthew Moreland; and Isaac Pfeiffer, son of Ms. Sarah Pfeiffer. The Prince of the Sword was portrayed by Master Weston Slayden, son of Joseph and Jacob Slayden. The Herald of Arms was Master Brycen Ogle, son of Ms. Jessica Pond.
Following the presentation, further festivities included music, food, dancing, and revelry into the night.
Krewe officers are Mrs. Vera P. Vedros, Ms. Genevieve Anne Brown, Ms. Ashley Robichaux and Messrs. Joshua Bitoun, John Wambsgans, Michael Knight, Jacob Bitoun, Christopher Leonard and Jared Hydell.
General chairmen of the ball were Mr. Gregory Robertson and Dr. David Mulnick. Executive general chairman of the royal court was Mr. Christopher Leonard.