NEW ORLEANS — Before the Rex parade rolls, members gather in the den starting at 7:00 Mardi Gras morning, to get dressed and participate in decades-old ceremonies on Carnival Day.
It's a behind the scenes look in the Rex den. As the King of Carnival was transformed for the day, fellow members remembered when he was a lieutenant and went through the Popeye's drive through on horse back for some chicken for friends and family.
"I rode over, horse puts its head in the window, and needless-to-say the young lady in there was quite excited. But she gave me the Popeye's and it was off to the parade," said Charbonnet.
The King of Carnival, Storey Charbonnet was surrounded by sons, nephews, his brother and his dad, John Charbonnet, who was Rex 1998.
"I hope that my children and my nephews all appreciate what this honor's all about, and why we have this honor, which is you make the city a better place and you wake up in the morning and you just work for your family and work for the city."
And he remembered his late mom, who passed away a month ago.
"If everybody can share Mardi Gras with the same passion that my mother, their grandmother, my dad's wife is, they will have one heck of a day," said Charbonnet.
Rex then gathered with fellow members for blessings.
"I'm so happy to be here today, to share this glorious time with you, as you rule the city as Rex. Hail Rex! Let us pray," Rev. Msgr. Christopher H. Nalty told the members.
Rex also gave a toast to honor military, police and first responders.
"I thank you guys for protecting us."
Then they raised old glory that flew in Iraq, along with the Rex carnival colors and sang the National Anthem.
Then he gave a final toast to his pages and the captain before the call for riders to put their masks on and man one of the 29 floats.
Mardi Gras will end tonight when the Rex and Comus courts meet and their royalty sit on the thrones together.
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