NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Kelsey Grace French will serve as the 2026 Queen of Carnival. The Texas Christian University (TCU) student said she was shocked to find out she would hold a role once held by her grandmother in 1959.<\/p>\n
Kelsey Grace French, the daughter of William French, a REX lieutenant and the organization\u2019s historian, and Kara Van de Carr, said it\u2019s an honor to be named Queen of Carnival.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe REX organization truly has such a strong history in the city of New Orleans and I\u2019m so excited that I get to be a part of that,\u201d French said.<\/p>\n
She learned she would be queen after the organization\u2019s president read a poem to her at a dinner in her honor.<\/p>\n
French recalled, \u201cAt the end of the poem, it said that I was going to be the 2026 Queen of Carnival. I was shocked, I didn\u2019t really know what was going on at first and I was just so excited, it felt like I was in a dream.\u201d<\/p>\n
From that moment, the planning began for her reign. French said her gown for the ball Tuesday night is a nod to the REX parade\u2019s theme this year: rebirth and renewal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are lilies and butterflies all over. The lilies are actually lilies that we grow at our farm in Mississippi that I grow with my grandmother,\u201d French said.<\/p>\n
The 21-year-old\u2019s connection to her grandmother is deep.<\/p>\n
French said, \u201cI\u2019m so glad I get to share this experience with her. She\u2019s so happy and she loves sharing all of her advice and her past experiences with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe keeps telling me that I need to just live in the moment,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n
While studying finance at TCU, French finds time for her hobbies, including running. Giving back through volunteering is a priority.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve worked a lot with Eden Centers for hope and healing, which is a non-profit that my mom founded,\u201d French said.<\/p>\n
French\u2019s family history with the REX organization dates back to 1889. Her grandfather reigned as REX in 2007 and other family members served on the court. These days, her dad co-hosts the live meeting of the courts broadcast on WYES, but this year he\u2019s getting the night off.<\/p>\n
French said, \u201cMy dad is off duty this year and so, he just gets to have fun with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her parents\u2019 pride is evident as their daughter prepares for her biggest role yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going to do great and I\u2019m going to be with you every step of the way,\u201d Kara Van de Carr told her daughter.<\/p>\n
\u201cHave fun, have the time of your life, this is your day,\u201d said William French.<\/p>\n
Reigning as the Queen of Carnival, the daughter of the REX historian is now leaving her own mark on history.<\/p>\n
This year, Queen Kelsey French and her royal court will toast REX at \u201cThe Josephine\u201d at the corner of Napoleon and LaSalle streets.<\/p>\n
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