2020 Monarchs

1/10

Defining Moments

KOP Ball

February 1, 2020

Behind the Crown

Our Monarchs both love Mardi Gras and the city of Mobile. King James X is native to the area, while Queen Molly X moved to Mobile from Dallas, Texas.

King James X was born in Mobile but raised across the bay in Fairhope, Alabama. He is a proud graduate of Fairhope High School where he was drum major of the Fairhope Pirates Marching Band. He received is associate's degree in Business Administration from Faulkner State Community College and a bachelor's degree in Health Care Management/Finance from the University of Alabama. Additionally, his law degree is from the University of Alabama School of Law. For the past 30 years, King James X has been employed with the United State Army Corps of Engineers where he serves as the lead real estate attorney for the Mobile District Office. He is also an Alabama licensed Realtor with the Holyfield Company, Inc.

King James X, and his partner of 23 years, Charles Howard, have lived in Midtown Mobile for two decades. They love their historic home that was constructed in 1910 and is a true labor of love to restore and renovate. You can find them most weekends working in their yard or enjoying a quick getaway weekend. They enjoy cooking and entertaining, but their greatest joy comes from spending time with family and friends.

Queen Molly X was born in Dallas, Texas, and even though she loves her new hometown of Mobile, Texas will always be a strong part of her life. Queen Molly X is an EMT-P, which is commonly referred to as a Paramedic. Currently, she enjoys working as Operations Supervisor at Lifeguard Ambulance.

While in Texas, Queen Molly X met her wife of 11 years, April Sanders, and they have lived in Mobile since 2013. They quickly felt right at home on the Gulf Coast and love the fun and frivolity of Mardi Gras. They enjoy spending time on their deck with friends as well as their cherished and spoiled pups, Jasper and Seusse. QMX loves traveling, and has a goal to visit every state in the US and step foot on each continent. The learning and adventure that comes with travel is much more valuable to Queen Molly X than any of her material possessions.

King James X

Mardi Gras traditions have been tucked away in my heart since I was child. My daddy was an INCA, and my mother was in the Order Of Polka Dots. During the weeks before their parades, our entire family helped prepare throws for them to toss from their floats – and we knew they always had a special stash for us kids.

My grandmother would drive my brother, sister, and me from Fairhope to Mobile on the nights of my parents’ parades. We stood on Government Street anxiously awaiting the arrival of the bands and floats. We could spot our parents from far away. They always spotted us and had their fellow riders shower us with throws galore.

After the parades, we went to the Civic Center to watch the call-outs from the seats upstairs. I could not wait to see my parents come down from the stage. My mother was ALWAYS the most beautiful woman and my daddy was ALWAYS the funniest costumed character.

These personal memories remind me that the Mardi Gras season means fun moments with family.

I am most honored and humbled to serve my KOP family as one of the Monarchs for the 2019-2020 season. The memories I have tucked away as part of KOP are treasured in my heart as much as those I have as a child. We have shared good times and sad times. We have seen members of our family come and then move on. We have worked together to do amazing things. And we have shared love for each other. In other words, we have been – and continue to be – a family.

My sincere hope for all who join us – either as members, spouses, significant others, or guests – is that our lives will be filled with the joy, fun, and love that is found in Mardi Gras and family.

-King James X

Queen Molly X

Growing up in the Dallas area, I thought Mardi Gras was only connected to New Orleans. It was not until my wife and I moved to Mobile in 2013, that we learned the history of the carnival season and that the roots that were embedded here in Mobile - our new hometown.

One of our first stops after moving here was visiting the Carnival Museum, and I was instantly mesmerized by the Mardi Gras organizations! My first long-term goal was figuring out how to be part of such a weirdly, wonderful group. As time went on, we met some amazing people and were eventually invited to join the Krewe of Phoenix.

After instantly falling in love with the carnival spirit of Mobile, I was very honored to join KOP in 2015. Since that time, I have been enveloped by the members and found a true family in the organization.

I am honored and excited to serve as Queen for KOP this year. While growing up, one of my mother’s famous sayings was “make sure the house is clean enough for the Queen of England to visit.” At the time, neither of us realized she was grooming a Queen in the making!

I am looking forward to an exciting year serving as Monarch with KJX!

-Queen Molly X