In recognition of his contribution to New Orleans and beyond as a community leader through his work as a business owner and a local artist whose unique signs contribute to the quintessentially New Orleanian style of businesses, festivals and public spaces, the Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc has named Simon Hardeveld to portray King Charles VII in its 2019 parade. King Simon has invited you to be part of his special day, and his messenger awaits your reply.   Members of the King’s Entourage will need to provide their own costume appropriate for medieval nobility and should provide their own throws — 50-100 throws are suggested to supplement what King Simon gives you.  Entourage members may purchase throws from us, make their own throws or buy appropriate throws elsewhere according to our guidelines. Lineup is at 5:30 p.m. at the parking lot at the corner of Bienville and Front Streets.

Each year, the Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc selects a male community leader who embodies New Orleans’ French connection to portray King Charles VII in our parade.Before Joan arrived on the scene, King Charles VII (1403-1461) of France was ruling from the town of Chinon (because the English had taken Paris), without a public crowning (because the English had taken Reims). With the pending fall of the town of Orléans, France’s very independence was under siege, and Charles VII made an extraordinary choice: he put a teenage peasant girl called by God in charge of his armies.  The young Joan inspired the tired French troops, who liberated Orléans and blazed a path to Reims where Charles was finally publicly crowned with Joan at his side.