'Secret Agents' descend on Ambassadeurs Mardi Gras coronations

Maggie Martin, Shreveport Times
·3 min read

"Goldfinger" played, Bond Girls wore slinky black dresses, and the guys channeled 007 James Bond at Krewe des  Ambassadeurs-Minden "Secret Agents" Coronation where King XXII Thomas Adams and Queen XXII Alicia Thomaswere crowned, beginning their Mardi Gras 2024 reign at Sam's Town Casino and Hotel.

For Thomas, being crowned queen became a dream in 2003 when she was an Ambassadeurs princess.

Krewe des Ambassadeurs XXII Queen Alicia Adams, Captain Tim Borst and King Thomas Adams at the Krewe's 2024 coronation event.
Krewe des Ambassadeurs XXII Queen Alicia Adams, Captain Tim Borst and King Thomas Adams at the Krewe's 2024 coronation event.

More court members:

Portraying Bond himself 2024 Dukes are:

  • Prosperity Brandon McEachern

  • Hospitality Kane Wallace

  • Philanthropy Joshua  Adams

Krewe des Ambassadeurs XXII Duchesses: Hospitality, Amanda Wallace; Philanthropy, Amanda Adams; Properity, Lindsay Liles ham it up.
Krewe des Ambassadeurs XXII Duchesses: Hospitality, Amanda Wallace; Philanthropy, Amanda Adams; Properity, Lindsay Liles ham it up.

Taking a page from Bond films, duchesses wore strapless, floor-length, body-hugging, floor-length black gowns with left-leg slits. The 2024 Duchesses are:

  • Prosperity Lindsay Liles

  • Hospitality Amanda Wallace

  • Philanthropy Amanda Adams

Identified as   "Ambassadeurs own M16 Agent:" Captain XXII Tim Borst will lead the Krewe in 2024. Captain-Elect Keith Keen takes over in 2025.

The theme for the Feb. 2, 2024 ball will be "Steampunk," where the subgenre of science fiction which blends a retro-futuristic type technology with a 19th-century industrial steam-powered style aesthetic will undoubtely be on full display.

"Captain Tim promises to incorporate elements from the genres and aesthetic-from costumes to characteristics," said Emcee George French III.

As you know, James Bond was a designated Agent 007 in the British Secret Intelligence Service trained in intelligence and special forces, and preferred martinis shaken, not stirred.

Decore included giant martini glasses, columns of playing cards, black-and-gold balloons and a floor covered with the captain's faux 100-dollar bill throws set the scene for the "Secret Agents" coronation.  And, the music played on, featuring such hits as Paul McCartney's "Live and Let Die";  Sheryl Crow's "Tomorrow Never Dies;" and Black Eye Peas,' "I Got a Feeling."

Krewe des Ambassadeurs XXII Dukes: Properity, Brandon McEachern; Philanthropy, Joshua Adams; Hospitality, Kane Wallace celebrate while Queen Alicia Adams sneaks in behind.
Krewe des Ambassadeurs XXII Dukes: Properity, Brandon McEachern; Philanthropy, Joshua Adams; Hospitality, Kane Wallace celebrate while Queen Alicia Adams sneaks in behind.

Special remembrance:

A moment of silence was held for the late Krewe Founding Member  Duke of Prosperity IX George Rolfe. "He loved being a part of Ambassadeurs. In 21 years, he never missed riding in the Minden Fasching Parade," said  French.

Party notes

  • King Tommy is a barber and owner of Main  Street Barber Shop and  Queen Alicia owns Her's Bridal Shop, both are in Minden.

  • Applause, please for the XXI court which included Captain Sarah Haines, King XXI Andy Fish and Queen XXI Robin Fish.

  • A round of thanks for their service to America goes to U.S. Navy veterans Duke and Duchess of Philanthropy  Joshua and  Amanda Adams, both of whom were deployed multiple times.

  • Minden High School ROTC members presented the colors and soloist Jennifer McMullen sang "Star Spangled Banner."

  • Duke of Hospitality XXI Jon David Liles gave the opening prayer.

  • In keeping with the theme, some royals carried beer steins, rather than fussy beribboned chalices.

In the crowd

  • Bailey and Lori Baynham

  • Debbie, Ken and Laurie Buford

  • Joe and Liz Morgan

  • Krewe Justinian 2023 King U.S. Dist. Judge Maury Hicks, Debbie Gardner

  • Krewe Elders 2023 King Gary Hudson and Elders

  • Queen 2023 Jan Hudson

  • Krewe Justinian 2024 Captain Amy Gardener-Day

Ambassadors coronation chairs

  • Royalty Karen M. Barnes

  • Co-Chair Kathy Long

  • Coronation Patricia Schwartz

  • Fundraiser Maria Poirer

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: 'Secret Agents' descend on Ambassadeurs Mardi Gras coronations