Mobile Carnival Association’s Queen Laura Rutherford Adams
by Hayley Hill; photography by Stevye Murray
True to tradition, the Mobile Carnival Association has yet again appointed a gloriously bright Queen for this peculiar Carnival season. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sumner Greer Adams, Queen Laura Rutherford Adams hails from a long line of royalty dating back to 1956. Born to reign, the city’s noble Queen is not deterred as the fate of the balls and parades loom; in fact, she’s having the time of her life and will be ready to celebrate when the time is right.
By Hayley Hill Photos Stevye Photography, 228.547.1191 Makeup Courtney Matthews Hair Jason Chambers
On a typical year, signs that the good times are getting ready to roll begin to appear around the start of the New Year. From parade routes lined with barriers to the fried dough stands gearing up for hungry crowds, the spirit of the season is palpable in the streets of the Port City and its surrounding communities. Sadly, that’s not the case this year (cue the tumbleweed). But not so fast. Perhaps Queen Laura says it best: “There’s a lot of uncertainty right now, but I know the Mobile Carnival Association has done (and will do) everything in their power to make this Mardi Gras season as memorable and special as possible!”
With an abundance of gratitude and grace, her majesty is quite accomplished. A student at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va. (one of the oldest higher learning institutions in the country), Queen Laura is pursuing a major in environmental studies and a minor in creative writing. Using her leadership skills, Queen Laura is a Kappa Kappa Gamma member; serves as Class Agent for the 2021 Senior Gift Committee; interned for the literary magazine, Shenandoah Magazine; and served the past three years as an Appalachian Adventure Pre-Orientation Trip Leader, guiding freshman on backpacking trips using her Wilderness First Aid certification. Set to graduate in May, she is interested in the sustainable food movement and her dream career is one in which she can educate and connect people to natural food sources.
A graduate of St. Paul’s Episcopal School, she shares how she received the news of her reign: “I found out while in a COVID-19 lockdown and it was the absolute highlight of that time period,” she shares. “My family was gathered on the back porch before my brother returned to Austin for work, and I thought we were having champagne to celebrate him. My mom came outside with a decorated package, and I was completely surprised when I opened it, as inside was a photo of my grandmother when she was Queen in 1967. It took a few seconds to register, but I was beyond thrilled!”
Her Majesty’s royal lineage dates back to 1956 when her paternal grandfather, Marion S. Adams, Jr., reigned as King Felix III. Her maternal grandfather, John Schley Rutherford, and maternal grandmother, Laura Lee Peebles, (Mrs. John Schley Rutherford), reigned as King Felix III and Queen in 1967. In 1987 her paternal uncle, Marion S. Adams III, reigned as King Felix III. Quite interestingly her father, Sumner Greer Adams, and her mother, Laura Lee Rutherford, (Mrs. Sumner Greer Adams), reigned as King Felix III and Queen in 1991. From there, her maternal uncle, John Schley Rutherford, Jr., reigned as King Felix III in 1996, and her first cousin, Marion S. Adams IV, reigned as King Felix III in 2015. As custom commands, her brother, Sumner Greer Adams Jr., reigned as King Felix III in 2020, adding to the long list of familial royalty over the years.
Described as curious, down-to-earth, and loyal, Queen Laura is thrilled to honor both her family and the city she loves so much. Her mother, Lee, shares: “It’s such a privilege to share this incredible experience with Laura. What a thrill it is to see my daughter follow in the footsteps of her grandmother (also Laura’s namesake) and I. It’s a wonderful opportunity for her to give back to the community and a bond we’ll share forever.”
Looking back, her Majesty has countless cherished memories. “Mardi Gras has always been a huge part of my family,” Queen Laura says. “When we were young, my brother and I eagerly awaited the season because we got to go downtown on Friday and Saturday nights to watch parades. I’ve always loved admiring float designs with my dad and dancing to the bands with cousins and friends,” she shares. “Always our families favorite time of year, we love it all, from parade loadings to the bands, snap n’ pops (back when they were allowed), and chicken on a stick,” Lee fondly adds. “Laura and I are banana MoonPie junkies! We spend an embarrassing amount of time trying to gather as many pristine banana MoonPies as we can — it doesn’t matter the size!”
As for the delays, Queen Laura is optimistic. “Like most, I was disappointed when I learned Mardi Gras celebrations could not occur,” she admits. “However, I know it’s for the best that we wait until it’s safe. It will be that much sweeter when the time does come,” she says. “Although this season has been different, we’ve made the time spent together count. Since everything is so uncertain, whenever we have the opportunity to celebrate, we have a renewed appreciation and excitement. In a way, it elongates this incredibly special time!”
Fortunately, her Majesty and the Ladies of the court have enjoyed several small celebrations. “It’s been wonderful to reconnect with girls I haven’t spent time with in years,” she says. “Celebrating on the Perdido Queen (on the most gorgeous day), a flower arranging class taught by Susan George of LUSH Florals, and making yummy charcuterie boards at Provision in Fairhope were a few highlights,” she shares.
Among the Queen’s duties is the curation of the royal regalia, and this year is no exception. Working closely with Julia Greer Fobes and her team at Revelry Bloom, Queen Laura took pride in using significant heirlooms. “One of my absolute favorite parts is that I’m using my mother and grandmother’s train, scepter, and crown,” she shares. “Knowing I will be wearing what they once wore has a deeply special meaning to me, and it makes me even more excited about all of it.”
As for Lee, “I’ve been very involved in the creation of Laura’s regalia,” she says. “Julia Fobes, Betsy Greer, and Michelle Hill have been invaluable to us. It’s been such fun to recreate my train and incorporate the crown and scepter both my mother and I used.”
Beyond the royal attire, there’s party looks, too. From Scroll and cocktail parties to luncheons and mixology lessons, a just-right wardrobe is in order. For Lee and Queen Laura, they couldn’t have done it without the extraordinary society stylists at Debra’s. “Holly Walton at Debra’s has been a wonderful help to us both,” Lee beams.
When time permits, Queen Laura enjoys cooking, hiking, gardening, and her newest hobby: embroidery. She also cherishes her time at home. “Living in the mountains for four years has been a pleasure, but I have a huge soft spot for the Bay’s seafood, boating, and views of the diverse wildlife,” she admits. “Some of my go-to spots are the places we visited for these photos! The Dew Drop Inn, Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe, Pollman’s Bake Shop, Toomey’s Mardi Gras, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, the Mobile Carnival Museum, and Wintzell’s Oyster House top the list,” she shares.
Rounding out the sentiment, Lee shares, “My favorite moments have been seeing how excited, humbled, and touched Laura has been. I look forward to a joyful celebration of a wonderful city!” As for her Majesty? “I’m so looking forward to representing the city, carrying on the tradition of Mobile Mardi Gras, and being able to safely celebrate with everyone when the time comes!”
Mobile Carnival Association’s King Felix III Martin Horst Cunningham Jr.
All hail King Felix III! The son of Martin Horst Cunningham Sr. and Randolph Fargason Cunningham, Martin Jr.’s royal lineage traces back to 1940. Proud of Mobile’s distinction as creator of Mardi Gras, he’s honored to represent the city, the Mobile Carnival Association (MCA), and his family while striking a balance between fun and safety.
By Hayley Hill Photos Stevye Photography, 228.547.1191 Hair Jason Chambers
MCA could not have selected a better King Felix III to represent our beloved Mardi Gras season during these unusual times than Martin Horst Cunningham Jr. With his laid-back nature, Martin Jr. shares, “The court is going with the flow and we’re enjoying every event to the fullest. We’ve found a good balance of having fun while keeping everyone healthy.”
Set to graduate in May from the University of Mississippi School of Law, Martin Jr. holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and corporate relations with a minor in professional writing. He’s a Dean’s Scholar and received a full tuition scholarship for Law School. A member of the Trial Advocacy team and Innocence Project, he shares, “These were very eye-opening in terms of seeing the circumstances some people are up against in their lives.” His Majesty hopes to practice law in Mobile moving forward.
A graduate of Bayside Academy, his Majesty is described as respectful, loyal, and charismatic, and was heading out for a game of basketball when his parents made the move to let him know he’d been selected as the new Mardi Gras monarch. “I was heading out when my parents asked me to get a drink,” he recalls. “I wondered if we could postpone, but my parents suggested we go and that I change, which took some convincing. Upon our arrival, we headed for the balcony where the MCA board members surprised me with the invitation to be King Felix III. My parents gave me that ‘Aren’t you glad we made you change?’ look and did a great job keeping it a secret. I was ready to get the season going!”
With a family history steeped in Carnival royalty, Martin Jr.’s lineage traces back to 1940 when his paternal grandfather, George Douglas Cunningham Sr., served as a Knight in the court. His paternal grandmother, Hetty Lyon Horst Cunningham, was a Lady of the court in 1946. In 1969, his Majesty’s aunt, Hetty Lyon Cunningham Newell, served as a Lady of the court, and his father, Martin Horst Cunningham Sr., served as King Felix III in 1979. Martin Jr.’s first cousin, Lyon Cunningham Newell, served as an Equerry in 1988, and his cousin, Mary Hunter Rouse (Mrs. George M. Maxwell, Jr.), served as Juvenile Queen in 1997. His sisters even got in on the action in the early 2000s, with Page Cunningham Smith serving in the Juvenile court in 2002 and as a Lady in Waiting in 2010, and Helen Herndon Cunningham serving as a Lady in Waiting in 2012.
His Majesty served as an Equerry to Felix III (William Richard Delaney Jr.) and Queen Emily Luckett McMurphy in 2002. In 2009 he served as an Escort to Juvenile Queen Nell Frances Milling, and in 2017 was a Knight in the court of King Felix III (Thomas Bestor Ward IV) and Queen Caroline Parish Meacham.
Regarding the honor, “It’s different from being a Knight, as I’m older,” he says. “I’m learning our Mardi Gras history and just how important it is to the city. It’s Mobile’s creation, and it’s very exciting to be part of it.” Some of his Majesty’s fondest memories stem from his family’s Mardi Gras traditions. “I remember going to the float barn with my dad and getting to playing hide and seek on the floats with the other kids,” he recalls. “I may have sneaked out a good football now and then! After the parades, we’d spread out everything we caught and make trades. As a teen, I had more freedom to run around with friends downtown, resulting in a lot of good memories.”
In terms of a pandemic reign, his Majesty admits, “I knew there was a good chance of it being postponed or canceled. It’s disappointing, but I understand. When it ends, people will be looking to get out! When that happens, I’m looking forward to the parade and have plenty of mobility in my costume to throw my fair share of beads,” he jokes.
As ritual dictates, King Felix III creates a royal regalia — a real highlight for Martin Jr. “I really enjoyed the people that helped me,” he shares. “The crown and scepter were made by Mr. Tommy at Dynasty Collection. They made the process very entertaining, as they tried to match a style to my personality.” The train was created by Julia Greer Fobes and her team at Revelry Bloom. “They always kept it entertaining because they knew it was out of my comfort zone,” his Majesty shares. “My mother helped a lot and we decided on a military-inspired costume. If I am dressing in costume, I may as well go with a look I like!”
Not yet revealed, King Felix’s ensemble is a nod to Danish and family history, with a color palette of royal blue, red, white, pewter, gold, and bronze. The military tailcoat is completed with antique trims, a mandarin collar, and cuffs, and features a belted sash, epaulettes, and aiguillettes that tie into a medallion. The train is 19 ft. long by 9 ft. wide and topped with the Denmark Coat of Arms, commemorating the three generations of Danish consuls in the family.
Interestingly, Martin Jr.’s great grandfather was appointed Danish Consul in the 1920s. His grandfather was Danish Consul and knighted into the Order of the Dannebrog. In 1994, Martin’s father was honored by the Queen of Denmark and knighted into the Order of the Dannebrog and is currently a Knight and presiding Danish Consul. His Majesty will don a pin from his father with a sword and arrow crossing a garland wreath. The Roman numerals MCMLXXIX are included for 1979, when Martin Sr. reigned as King Felix III. The train’s center motif is the Cunningham Coat of Arms with a Knight helmet’s profile atop a shield with three five-pointed stars. The base motif is the King’s royal monogram, replicated from his pin. Below, there is a scroll banner with the Roman numerals MMXXI for 2021. All the motifs are completed with crystal, gold, and silver rhinestone and beaded embellishments and the border is framed with white rabbit fur with black ermine tails.
For the parties, his Majesty donned looks from local boutiques East Bay Clothier, Metzger’s, and CK Men’s. In his downtime, Martin Jr. enjoys basketball, tennis, snowboarding, boating, and listening to music. As for the Bay Area, he shares, “I have a favorite spot for everything! It’s home to me. When I go to Oxford for school I really miss the water. A lake just doesn’t feel the same as our rivers, Bay, and beach. It’s tough to leave the coast for too long.” He’s also an avid fan of the Bay’s growing downtown area. “I enjoy Panini Pete’s, Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe, Bob’s Diner, Felix’s Fish Camp Grill, and Pollman’s Bake Shop, to name a few,” he shares.
With an affinity for positivity, his Majesty sums up this unconventional season beautifully: “The Queen, debutantes, and I have gone all-in,” he shares. “We know at any moment we may find the season canceled. Everyone has let go of the things that don’t matter, and have chosen to focus on what does. We’re really making the most of every photo-op, cocktail party, and Mardi Gras event. We’re not taking anything for granted.”
