Royal Family for 2011 installed today

With all the pomp and circumstance of a regal coronation, Historic City News was on hand to witness St. Augustine’s Royal Family exchange roles for the coming year.

This year’s Royal Transfer of Office ceremony was held at Queen Isabella’s Garden; located at the intersection of St. George and Hypolita Streets in the historic area at 3:00 p.m.

We say “exchange roles” because when one year’s Royal Family turn the symbols of their office over to the new trio, the former royals continue to be available to the current Royal Family; representing the City of St. Augustine as goodwill ambassadors and members of the royal entourage, when needed.

St. Augustine’s Royal Family members are 17th century re-enactors who portray the ruling family in Spain in 1672; the same year that construction began on Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.

The Royal Family has been a long-established tradition at Easter Festival activities and each year, they travel to numerous out-of-town events — making appearances in period dress, promoting St. Augustine’s heritage during the period of discovery.

Three members of Spanish royalty are portrayed; during 2010, Teresa Foster Tezack portrayed Queen Mariana; Katie Raulerson portrayed Princess Margarita Maria; and Mathew Wood portrayed the boy King Carlos.

Assuming their ceremonial roles for 2011 are Suzanne Hazen as Queen Mariana; Jaime Blevins as Princess Margarita Maria; and James Solana III as the boy King Carlos.

The ceremony was attended by several dozen friends and family members and many curious onlookers as they were touring St. Augustine’s restoration area. One group of first-time tourists, who had never heard of the city’s Royal Family, asked Historic City News Editor Michael Gold, through the fence surrounding the gated courtyard, if we were celebrating a wedding.

Lisa Colee and her son, former King Carlos portrayer, Tim “T” Colee, regularly serve as members of the royal entourage and substitute for Royal Family members whenever they are unavailable.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer