Mobile Carnival Association King Felix III, Benjamin Morgan Radcliff III

 An avid hunter and fisherman, Benjamin Morgan Radcliff III has the distinct honor to serve as the 2023 Mobile Carnival Association’s King Felix III. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Morgan Radcliff Jr., Ben will represent his city and the oldest Mardi Gras organization as the first Radcliff to be selected as King; a title he wears with immense honor, humility, and responsibility.

 Growing up, Ben always looked forward to the start of the Carnival season. From watching parades and catching shining beads and trinkets, to partaking in the festivities in various Royal capacities, some of Ben’s favorite childhood memories stemmed from Mardi Gras. “One of my earliest Mardi Gras memories was serving as an Equerry for Queen Hill Luscher, in the 2005 court of King Felix III, Guy Coleman Oswalt III,” recalls Ben. “The first time being on a float at age 7 was exhilarating!” For Ben’s mother, Darby, watching the parades with her young son was always special. She recalls one Shrove Tuesday evening with her son: “We were watching the last parade of the season, the Order of Myths, in hopes to catch Ben’s dad riding as a Marshall as it passed by the Mobile Carnival Museum one more time,” Darby fondly remembers. “Ben didn’t want it to end! There we were, all alone in the stands, then who should appear? Judi Gulledge! For the final time of the season we all shouted, ‘throw us something’, as the candy, doubloons, and Moonpies rained down upon the three of us. Joy!”

 Ben and his family have been involved in Carnival in Mobile for generations.  His Majesty served as an Equerry for Queen Elizabeth Hill Luscher in the 2005 Court with King Felix III, Guy Coleman Oswalt II.  He also served as a Military Escort in the 2012 Juvenile Court of Queen Susan Elizabeth Slaton and King Charles Moore Bancroft Reynolds.  His Majesty was a Knight to Queen Seline Vaughan Morrissette in 2020 with King Felix III of that year, Sumner Greer Adams, Jr. His Majesty’s paternal great grandparents, Carolyn Gresham Acree and Everett Ward Faulk served as Lady and Knight in the 1925 Court of Queen Marion Francis Acker (Mrs. John Richie Macpherson) and King Felix III, Francis Harrison Inge. Paternal great uncle, James Stinson Radcliff, served as a Page, in the 1932 Court of Queen Isabelle Burgess Bush (Mrs. Alfred Posey Thomasson) with King Felix III, Horace Samford Turner, Jr.  In 1949, his paternal grandmother, Carolyn Jean Faulk served as First Lady in Waiting with his grandfather, Benjamin Morgan Radcliff, as a Knight in same Court of Queen Gertrude Smith Atkinson (Mrs. Robert Hunter) and King Felix III, Huriesco Austill Pharr.  His Majesty’s father, Benjamin Morgan Radcliff Jr. was a Herald in 1972 Court of Queen Barbara Lynn Outlaw (Mrs. Outlaw Cunningham) with King Felix III, Harvey DeWitt Trawick III.  His Majesty’s father also served as a Knight in the 1974 Juvenile Court of Queen Deborah Ann Roney (Mrs. David Jerome Parsons) and King Thomas Brackett Martenstein, Jr. 

 All three of his Majesty’s sisters have been Ladies of the Court. His sister, Frances Lacy Radcliff, was a Lady in the Juvenile Court of Queen Amelie Courtney Inge and King Hiram Taylor Morrissette III. Lacy was also a Lady in the 2010 Court of Queen Louise Vass McClure (Mrs. William Shelton Pritchard IV) and King Felix III, Peter Cayce Sherman, Jr.  His sister, Mary Morgan Darby Radcliff (Mrs. Reed Eastburn Stevens) was a Lady in the Court of Queen Lynn Wentworth Morrissette (Mrs. Mark Edward Hieronymus, Jr. with King Felix III, Edward Dickson Williams II. His third sister, Julia Darby Radcliff, (Mrs. Nicholas Lyman Kordonowy) was First Lady in Waiting in 2014 in the Court of Queen Madeleine Maury Downing (Mrs. Peter Cayce Sherman, Jr.) and King Felix III, Selwyn Horace Turner IV.

 His Majesty’s aunt, Carolyn Gresham Radcliff (Mrs. Stanley Clinton Akers) was a Lady in Waiting to Queen Clara Little Armbrecht in the 1973 Court with King Felix III, William Gayle DeMouy III.  This will be the 50th Anniversary Celebration for that Court. His Majesty’s cousin, Lucy Shields Leatherbury (Mrs. Robert Herndon Radcliff) reigned as Queen in 1912 with King Felix III, Rollin Broughton.  Her granddaughter, Lucy Leatherbury Radcliff (Mrs. James Max Harrison Jr.) reigned in 1963 with David Hawthorne Akridge.  Another cousin, Alexander Travis Howard IV, reigned as King Felix III in 2019 with Queen Ellen Boyd Douglas (Mrs. Gaines Toulmin Bates.) His cousin, Laura Gresham Boughton (Mrs. Thomas Malcolm Warren) served as Juvenile Queen in 1986 alongside Juvenile King, Ray Herndon.  Throughout the last 100 years of Carnival, Ben’s extended family has made many contributions as Ladies, Knights, Pages, Equerries, and Heralds.

 And now, it is Ben’s turn to wear the crown. He was officially invited to reign as King Felix III alongside his Queen, Cooper Leland, at the MCA Scroll Party at Ashleigh and Mikell Leland’s home. “Generations of past Kings and Queens were there to cheer on the new monarchs with wonderful stories and memories of years past,” Darby shares. “It was very special and a great way to kick off the season.” Plans for Ben’s reign quickly began starting with the vision and design concept for his Royal Regalia.

 The King’s coronation ensemble is based on the court couture of Louis XlV, and uses colors of royal Prussian blue and cardinal red, accented with touches of sea mist. The frock coat of cerulean blue silk, features deep cuffs of gold lace, enhanced by aurora rhinestones and crystal banding. A richly beaded brocade backed with sea mist and trimmed in deep red, extends from the collar and sets off the metallic brocade waistcoat. His knee britches are made of decadent gold satin, banded by antique bullion trim and olive green velvet cuffs. He wears a gold trimmed lace jabot studded with auroras and a cardinal sash, trimmed with gold and rhinestone beading.

 Ben’s crown, crafted by Dynasty Collection, features a design inspired by the crowns of Europe, with brilliant Swarovski crystals, imported from Austria.  The base of the crown is made of gold filigree, adorned with old world Tiffany stones. Rising from the base are swirls and arches, topped with exquisite pearl shaped diamond faceted stones, enhanced by a trio of Marquis crystals on each side. The center features an oval stone, surrounded by a double row of round crystals. The King’s scepter follows the design of the crown, resting upon an eight stone-arched finial, with the staff fashioned in a twisted gold French rope. While his train is composed of majestic blue and gold velvet panels banded by metallic braids and rhinestone banding. It features the shield of the Radcliff coat of arms, emblazoned with rampant scarlet lions of gold bouillon accented with ruby stones. The gold and olive mantling flows round the shield and supports a gilt and rhinestone helmet, surmounted with bulls head and red riband. The royal moniker, worked in gold with sea mist aqua accents, is featured at the top of the seventeen-foot train. The Radcliff motto “Virtus Propter Se,” meaning “Virtue for it’s own sake”, embroidered in gold on a sapphire scroll, finishes the composition of the train’s base, which is a softly scalloped in a border of white downy fur. “Many thanks go out to Homer and his talented seamstresses, who put hours upon hours of hard work and love into my train. It was a wonderful experience to work with such a creative and talented team,” says His Majesty.

 For the King’s Supper, which immediately follows the Coronation, the Radcliffs enlisted the family design team of Donald Zimlich, Tommy Zimlich, and Carol Zimlich Reeves of Elizabeth’s Garden/Zimlich’s Patio & Garden. At this supper, Ben will treat his court to cuisine of the South of France with dishes such as Niçoise salad, chargrilled filet Mignon, chive whipped potatoes, and bundles of bacon wrapped asparagus. Other notable vendors of the King’s Supper include: Port City Rentals, Show Biz Lighting, Ivy Cottage, What a Stitch, Southern Toile, and Soirée Signatures—each vendor was imperative to helping bring Ben’s vision to life.

 When asked what Ben is looking forward to most about the season, he says he is excited to get back on a float and ride during the two Floral Parades with his Court. For his mother, Darby is excited to see all of the wonderful new people Ben will meet along the way, and the friendships that will grow stronger as he makes a lifetime of memories.

 Outside of his Royal role, Ben currently works in Preconstruction where he helps with estimates, and bids on commercial and industrial construction projects. He graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Building Science and a minor in Business in December of 2020. In his free time, Ben loves fishing, hunting, playing golf, or spending time in Point Clear with his friends.

 In conclusion, Ben’s mother Darby, adds: “Mobile is unique and encapsulating because it is Mardi Gras! Look around you at all of the traditions! All of the wonderful people who make it magically come alive! They aren’t just businesses— they are the people who build the floats, serve up the festive libations, work the lighting, bake the King Cakes, pack up the throws, sew the trains, write the magazine articles, snap the photos, design the make-up, do the hair, and on and on! From that smallest child to the eldest reveler, we all have our part in Mobile’s oldest tradition of Carnival! Enjoy and take a moment to reflect, as we all come together to celebrate!”