Our story

Sixty-four years ago, Mrs. Alicia du Pont MacGregor had a wonderful vision - a Queen of Hearts Ball benefiting the American Heart Association with a Queen and her Royal Court of Princesses to be presented in pageantry at each ball. The Royal Court was to be selected from the names presented by clubs and civic organizations dedicated to supporting the cultural, charitable and civic projects in the St. Petersburg area.  In 1959, Mrs. du Pont MacGregor's vision became a reality and the first Queen of Hearts Ball was held at the Coliseum with Mrs. R.W. Roberts crowned as the first Queen of Hearts.    

Today the tradition continues with the Queens Court Inc. who hold the the Queen of Hearts Ball each year in St. Petersburg.  The Ball is held to honor women’s volunteerism in Pinellas County and to raise funds for two local charities.  This is the Queen’s Court’s only fundraiser.  Since the Queen's Court is operated solely by volunteers, 100% of the net proceeds raised by the ball are distributed directly to the two selected charities. Remarkably, well over $2,650,000 has been raised by the Queen's Court over the years in support of a variety of charitable, cultural and educational organizations.