Poster of the Rex parade of 1872

In 1872 Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia attended the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, where he was guest of honor reviewing the inaugural Rex parade. The parade Alexei attended bears little resemblance to present day parades. Rex rode a horse, not a float and the parade that followed was made up largely of the informal maskers and marchers. There were however bands who stopped and played the Russian national anthem in honor of him. Many traditions such as the selection of Rex, the King of the Parade, the Rex anthem, the parade’s colors date back to Alexei’s visit.

The lyrics of the popular song “If Ever I Cease to Love” were adapted to the occasion and changed to:

“May the Grand Duke Alexis
Ride a buffalo in Texas
If Ever I Cease to Love”