Selecting the King of Rex is a secret internal affair; members of the krewe choose him. Entry into this elegant parade organization is restricted to the social elite of the city. Mardi Gras masks are not worn by Rex or his debutante Queen; after many months of keeping their identities secret, the names and faces of the reigning monarchs of Mardi Gras are announced only on Lundi Gras, the day before Fat Tuesday. Indeed, serving as Rex is one of the highest of honors, and it generally goes to a member of the organization who has notable civic accomplishments or philanthropic endeavors that help the people of New Orleans.
Amidst the Mardi Gras hats, costumes, Mardi Gras Beads, floats, Mardi Grasdecorations, King Cakes and other regalia associated with the season lie traditions that run deep in the social veins of local people. Honoring Rex and his Queen is something that even local government will do, as usually the mayor will toast Rex on this day and will give him a symbolic key to the city as an acknowledgement of his importance in local civic life.
There are other Mardi Gras monarchs, including the celebrities who are often chosen as kings of other parades, such as the flashy and modern parades of Bacchus, Endymion, and Orpheus. Sometimes they will presume to claim the title King of Carnival; few, however, will take such claims seriously. Everyone knows that since 1872, Rex has always been the real King of Carnival…and he always will be.
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