The Reigning Monarchs for 2023, King Pete Sampras Gelderman and Queen Billie Jean King Gelderman, will assume the new titles of Emeritus King and Queen as the Mystic Krewe of Barkus ushers in a new carnival season and prepares to announce the new King and Queen for 2024.
The Gelderman Royals adopted Silver Labs and are mother and son in a family of past human and canine royalty. The King’s human mother is a past Queen of Carnival with the Rex organization, and they are siblings of a prior King Banjo and Queen Honey Gelderman with the Krewe of Barkus. With such a seasoned household of Mardi Gras Royalty, the succession of King Pete and Queen Billie Jean was a natural and easy transition from their once-homeless condition.
It was undoubtable that King Pete and Queen Billie Jean had glorious rides through the French Quarter during the last parade and were in gilded gold collars that radiated the joyful noblesse they brought to the thousands of spectators who came to revel in this canine celebration.
They can now join the parade as Emeritus Returning Royals with the other past sovereigns, who continue to play important roles in the Barkus story and Mardi Gras history forever. 💜
