Draft:Prince Carnival

In Belgium, Western Germany, and The Netherlands, Prince Carnival (Dutch: Prins Carnaval, German: Karnevalsprinz) is an elected master of ceremonies, prior to and during carnival. It is usually someone who has been active in local carnival life in the past.

Organisation
Because of the significance of the number 11 as the fool's number, the new Prince is chosen in a number of places on or around November 11 (the eleventh of the eleventh).

Generally, every carnival association or place where carnival is celebrated has its own Prince. Until the moment of the official announcement, the identity of the Prince must be kept secret. It is very common to gamble on it in advance.

The Prince is the leader the  'Council of Eleven ', a commity existing of 10 (mostly) men, who represent different functions related to carnival, and the Prince. Aditionally, he is often also assisted by a whole court, that con concist of a Princess, a court jester, a minister, one or more adjutants and/or ladies-in-waiting or a page.

In Limburg, both Belgian and Dutch, and East Brabant villages and towns, a new Prince is chosen every year, but in North Brabant it also happens occasionally that someone takes on the role of Prince for several years.

Handover of keys
In several towns, in the week before Carnival, the mayor hands over the administration of the town to the Prince in a cheerful yet official ceremony, at which the key to the town is handed over. That key may be a large wooden key, preferably gilded, but can also be the actual key of the town hall or another important building. The key is returned after carnival.

Regnal name
During his reign, the Prince adopts a regnal name. This can either be his real given name, a bastardisation to the local dialect or a traditional name within his carnival society. The name is always followed by a regnal number, even when he is the first to assume this name.

Costume
The Prince's costume or suit can be different. Typical elements include a white tie dress suit, a (fur or faux-fur) cape and bright colored 17th-century inspired attire, specifically colored short puff trousers with white thights.

However, each Prince does wear a cap or bicorne on which some pheasant (preferably reeve's pheasant) feathers are attached. In his hands he holds the association's sceptre and around his neck he wears a special prince's medal.