About
The Order of the Royal Guard (OORG) is an alumni organization composed of individuals who have completed their year of service as a King’s Guard within the Saint Paul Winter Carnival Royal Family. As an enduring body of tradition, the OORG preserves the history and continuity of the Guard while guiding its future, ensuring that the legacy of service remains a vital part of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.
Who We Are
United by shared experience, OORG members preserve the traditions of the Guard while ensuring its continuity for generations to come. They embody the values of loyalty, service, and community that define the spirit of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.
From King’s Guard to OORG
Each year, a new contingent of Guards is selected to serve as members of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival Royal Family. During their reigning year, the Guards accompany the Royal Family to more than 300 events—parades, festivals, school visits, nursing homes, hospitals, and community celebrations. Their role is both symbolic and active: protecting the Royal Family from Vulcanus Rex while representing the spirit of Carnival throughout Minnesota, across the region, and beyond.
When their year of service concludes, Guards who have upheld the traditions and responsibilities of their role are invited to join the Order of the Royal Guard. Through this alumni organization, they remain connected to the Saint Paul Winter Carnival and to one another, forming a living link between past and present.
Guiding the Future
The OORG is not only a society of alumni but also a steward of the Guard’s future. Each year, the Order selects the next Captain from among its members. That Captain then interviews and appoints the new team of Guards who will serve alongside the incoming Royal Family. In this way, the OORG ensures that knowledge, tradition, and values are passed on to the next generation.
A Legacy Since 1916
The Guard tradition began in 1916 and has continued for more than a century. From 1950 through 1958, Guards were selected from local colleges in what became known as the “educational era.” In 1959, the modern volunteer selection process was established, creating the structure that endures today.
Enduring Purpose
The Order of the Royal Guard is both legacy and continuity. Its members uphold the traditions of the Guard while guiding its future, ensuring that each year’s Guards enter into a tradition greater than themselves. Through the OORG, the legacy of the Guard remains a vital part of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, inspiring pride, fellowship, and unity in the celebration of winter.