Application Process
Selection to be a Princess is a multi-step process that lasts several weeks:
Step 1: When applications open, interested and qualified young women submit their application and information online at KDF.org/Royal Court.
Step 2: All qualified applicants move on to a preliminary screening and interview process with representatives from the community, The Fillies, Inc., and the Kentucky Derby Festival. The preliminary screening leads to the selection of the top 25-30 Finalists.
Step 3: The Finalists then participate in a second round of interviews in early January with a judging panel of representatives from outside Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
Step 4: Five Princesses (along with two alternates) are selected from the Finalists and crowned as members of the Royal Court in early January and continue their reign through May.
