LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The time has come to begin searching for the next Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Court.

What You Need To Know

  • Applications for the 2025 Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Court open Thursday, Aug. 1

  • Five college students will be selected to serve as ambassadors for the annual spring tradition

  • A spin of the wheel will determine which of the five will be crowned Derby Queen

  • Applications will be accepted online only  through Oct. 13, 2024

“Being part of the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Royal Court is more than wearing a crown, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience with leadership and professional development opportunities,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President & CEO. “The young women who are selected will represent the Festival, as well as Louisville and the Commonwealth. We look forward to seeing who will reign over our 2025 celebration.”

Young women from Kentucky and Southern Indiana are encouraged to apply to represent the Festival. Full-time college students—in at least their second year—can apply for the 2025 court. Applications open Thursday, Aug. 1 and the deadline to submit the application is Sunday, Oct. 13. Applications must be submitted online.

Every year, five women who succeed academically and are civic-minded are chosen to be Derby Festival Princesses. They are official ambassadors for the annual tradition of the Festival. One princess is chosen—by a spin of the wheel—to be crowned the Derby Queen at the annual Fillies Derby Ball.

“You learn so much about leadership, community service, civic engagement, and get to be at the helm of one of the most festive seasons in Kentucky,” said Ankita Nair, Queen of the 2024 Royal Court. “It is all about believing in yourself and being passionate about the community. I would encourage anyone interested in serving the Commonwealth of Kentucky to apply.”

Every member of the Royal Court receives two $1,000 scholarships—one from The Fillies, Inc., and one from the Kentucky Derby Foundation. They also receive sponsor gifts and a complimentary wardrobe.

The Derby Festival Royal Court program is overseen by The Fillies, Inc. It is a nonprofit organization composed of 250 community volunteers. Past Derby Festival Queens include Kentucky’s first female governor, Martha Layne Collins, Miss Kentucky 2022 Hannah Edelen and Miss Kentucky 2023 Mallor Hudson.

Anyone wanting to apply to the Royal Court not only must live in Kentucky and Southern Indiana, but they need to have a minimum accumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. They need to be 18 years old on or before Dec. 31, 2024.

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