By Kippy Marks–
When a candidate campaigns to become a Grand Duke or Grand Duchess, there is always a representation of colors that allows voters to know whom they are voting for. In most cases, candidates will also have a “catchphrase” and a coronation theme for their step-down.
We have taken a look at the last 44 Royal Houses and have gotten to know a little about each of them. Now, I am featuring the remaining Royal Houses one at a time with each leading us to the current Reigning Monarchs and to the candidates of The Grand Ducal Council’s 50th Reign. Here is a spotlight on the 46th Royal House:
2018–2019
The 46th Royal House of The Glittering Court of Nectar and Honey.
Grand Duke XLV: The Phoenix Native God of Glitter Ken Harper
Colors: purple and padparadscha
Symbol: golden phoenix
Catchphrase: “Busy bees!”
Grand Duchess XLVI: The Leopard Printed Lady of Courage, Community, and Crass MGM Grande
Colors: hot pink and black
Symbol: leopard
Catchphrase: “Make that honey money.”
Coronation Theme: “Pansies in Russia: A Garden Party at the Hermitage”
Their Court consisted of:
This Royal House stems from (HoG) The House of Glitter, which was mentioned in previous articles. The mother of the House of Glitter is Grand Duchess XXXVI Landa Lakes.
As evidenced in their crest, they modeled their court after bees. Like bees, they were united in purpose, gathering nectar, and, in their case, gathering donations and producing honey aka money. Their Court endeavored to exemplify the values of compassion, inclusion, and renewal. It was diverse in talent, ethnicity, age, background, and identity. They looked to the traditions and customs of the Ducal Court and contributed some new things to the tradition by choosing to support organizations that expressed the deepest levels of compassion for the human condition in their mission:
I spoke with Grand Duke Ken Harper on behalf of the San Francisco Bay Times about what inspired him to join the Grand Ducal Council (GDC). He replied, “What inspired me to join the Grand Ducal Council was the fun drag shows—the creative artistry and friendship put to the purpose of raising money for local nonprofits serving the LGBTQI+ communities.”
Grand Duke Ken has been involved with the GDC since 2008 under the reign of Grand Duke XXXV Carlos Medal and Grand Duchess XXXVI Landa Lakes. Grand Duke Ken has received the Joe Cote Memorial Court Member of the Year 2009, and was Royal Baby in 2009 and Royal Crown Prince to Grand Duchess Paloma Volare St. James and Baron to the Native Goddess of Glitter Grand Duchess XXXVI Landa Lakes.
I then asked him to share a special memory about his reign. Grand Duke Ken said, “I decided to run for Grand Duke because I wanted to raise money for nonprofits dear to my heart and the memory of my recently departed partner, Chad Litz, who was a teenage runaway. He received help in his youth from Larkin Street Youth Services and at the end of his life from MAITRI, which provided him hospice care as he battled cancer and AIDS. I was gratified to know that by the end of our year, with the help of many, we raised over $130,000 for local charities—perhaps the most of any court. I learned so much that year about diversity and the talent in our community. There’s so much we can accomplish when things are done in the spirit of camp and cooperation.”
Grand Duchess MGM Grande received the Trixie Trash Memorial Workhorse Award in 2021. She has been involved with the GDC since 2014, when she served as Royal Crown Princess to Grand Duchess XLII Roxy Cotton Candy, and as Miss Debutante in the XLIII Royal House of the Diamond Eyed Ebony Panther and the Lady of the Giving Red Heart Grand Duke XLII Aja Monet-Ashton and Grand Duchess XLIII Olivia Heart.
I asked Grand Duchess MGM Grande what inspired her to run for the office of Grand Duchess, and if she would share a special memory. She said, “After being involved with the Court, I was inspired to continue the work itself of using the events and performances to continue to raise money for charities and to continue in the building of strong community. We chose the name of our court, “The Glittering Court of Nectar & Honey,” partially in reference to the fact that both Ken and I belonged to the San Francisco Drag House ‘The House of Glitter.’ In my heels I towered over Ken, who is rather petite, and so during our reign I began to affectionately call Ken my ‘Fay Wray.’ I have wonderful memories of traveling to various Courts and coronations throughout the country cultivating friendships and sisterhood across the court system that endure to this day. I am especially proud of the legacy of relationships I developed with the Grand Duchesses of San Francisco. I started a Facebook thread that continues to this day and we continue to meet and have meetings that continue to connect us.”
On September 22, 2023, the Grand Ducal Council of San Francisco will celebrate 50 years of Camp and Fundraising. The celebration will take place at the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. Please consider becoming a sponsor.
Inquiries: 50thanniversary@sfducal.org
Ticket sales for this event have been extended to September 1, 2023, ($60) and are on sale now through September 1, 2023, with a hard stop on that final date. Save the dates both for your ticket purchases and for this once-in-a-lifetime historic event!
Kippy Marks is Grand Duke XL of The Grand Ducal Council of San Francisco. He is the first ever elected African-American Grand Duke.
Celebrating 50 Years of the Grand Ducal Council of San Francisco
Published on August 24, 2023
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