Rhody Royalty

Being royal is about much more than a crown

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Life as a Rhody Princess is not just about the crown for Princess Brigitte Palmer.

That doesn’t mean she doesn’t love the pomp of Rhody Royalty; Palmer, a junior at Chimacum High School, grew up watching the Rhody queen and princesses wave to the crowds as they floated down Lawrence Street in their flouncy dresses.

“I watched the parades when I was little,” she said. “I loved seeing the floats come by, and I always wanted to be on one.”

Those childhood moments spent admiring the royalty from the sidewalk where she watched the Grand Parade go by were what pushed Palmer to run for Rhody Royalty last fall. But by the time she was crowned a princess, Palmer realized she was going to gain something much bigger during her time as royalty.

“I’m most excited about the memories I’m going to make with my friends,” she said. “These are moments I will never forget and can look back on for years.”

The Queen’s Court comprises three high-school-aged girls. This year, the crowns were placed on the heads of Queen Jennessah Seebergoss, Princess Brigitte Palmer and Princess Hailey Hirschel.

The queens get to travel across the state to represent Jefferson County in other towns’ parades. This means long car trips together, hours spent lining up for parades and even two overnighters in other towns. This is what Palmer is looking forward to the most.

“Hailey and I have been friends since third grade,” Palmer said. “She’s like a sister to me. I’m so happy this was something we could do together.”

And Seebergoss, though she hasn’t been friends with Palmer and Hirschel for as many years, is a great addition to their friendship, Palmer added.

“She’s so down to earth,” she said. “Me and Hailey get a little crazy together. Jennessah’s the one who keeps us calm.”

All three girls are highly involved in school activities, such as drama and sports. But the thing they most have in common is a love for the Rhody Festival. Palmer’s family has lived in Jefferson County for four generations. Representing the community as Rhody Royalty is in her blood.

“It’s in my family,” she said. “I love it.”