In this 2015 file photo, Frances Olivia Faulconer, front row, third from right, plays the role of royal attendant to the queen during the 2015 Rose Sunday ceremony at the Tyler Rose Garden Center. Now in 2024, Faulconer is the Queen of the 91st Texas Rose Festival.

Miss Frances “Franny” Olivia Faulconer was announced as the 91st Texas Rose Festival Queen on Thursday during the Winter Gala benefit for the Tyler Rose Museum at Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler.

“I’m beyond honored that I was selected to represent Tyler,” Faulconer said. “It’s so exciting… it’s like a dream because I was never expecting this.”

Faulconer was born and raised in Tyler, and is currently attending Baylor University as a sophomore majoring in interior design. She is the daughter of Galen and Renee Faulconer.

She was surprised over the holidays when she received the news from Rose Festival President Bill Evans and his wife Lynda.

“I want to truly represent all the queens before me and what they accomplished,” Faulconer said. “I want to be able to represent Tyler and work for Tyler, as an ambassador.”

In a champagne-colored dress embellished with stars, with her perfectly coiffed blonde hair and megawatt smile, the new Texas Rose Festival Queen made her way to the podium to address a roomful of supporters.

“Standing here today serving as the 2024 Rose Queen … fills me with a deep sense of honor and gratitude,” she said. “This moment is a realization of a long-held dream and I am truly privileged to be a part of this beloved tradition.”

Surrounded by her royal court members, attendants and ladies-in-waiting, Faulconer recalled the time she received an invitation to be an attendant to the 2015 Texas Rose Festival Queen Madeline Wynne.

“The vivid memory of my mom’s beaming smile as she shared the news with me of that special invitation will be one I cherish forever,” Faulconer said in her speech at the gala. “I can’t help but imagine the pride in my mom’s smile as she watches me from Heaven this evening.”

Faulconer took a moment to show appreciation to her family: her father, Galen and his wife Jamie; her grandmother Amy Faulconer, affectionately known as ‘Mimi’, and her siblings, Grayson, Clayton and Caroline and extended family.

“Your support, love and encouragement makes this opportunity even more meaningful,” Faulconer said. “And I am deeply thankful for each of you.”

She is looking forward to serving the city of Tyler and Texas Rose Festival and being a positive representation of a Queen.

“The Texas Rose Festival, to me, goes beyond the stunning dresses and festivities,” she said. “It represents the unity of our community, the richness of our shared heritage and the promotion of the rose industry.”

Alongside Queen Faulconer, the Princess of the 2024 Texas Rose Festival was announced as Miss Merritt Elizabeth Dial, daughter of David and Michelle Dial.

“It’s just such a great honor and it’s a big responsibility,” Dial said. “Hopefully I can fill the shoes of the past princesses.”

As a seventh-generation Tylerite, Dial’s family has a long history of involvement with the Texas Rose Festival, as her mother was a lady-in-waiting and served on many committees over the years. Her father has also been involved in the Rose Festival in various capacities.

“I remember being at a young age just standing there with my dad and my mom and my brothers and sisters and watching the floats go by and all the beautiful girls and just looking back, I couldn’t wait to finally do it,” she said. “And here I am now.”

Dial was a train bearer to Queen Rachel Clyde in 2013. She remembers looking up to the older girls and takes pride in the fact she is now playing that role of setting an example for the younger children looking up to her.

“I feel very blessed to be here tonight in celebration of the 91st festival,” Dial told the crowd at the gala. “Representing Tyler is a great honor for me.”

Dial is currently a sophomore at Texas Tech University.

Alongside Queen Faulconer and Princess Dial is the Duchess of the Rose Growers, Alice Elizabeth Milton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Carver and Dr. and Mrs. Mark Milton.

“I’m really excited because I’ve had a lot of family members who served as the Duchess of the Rose Growers in the festival,” Milton said.

Both Milton’s mother and sister have served as Duchess of the Rose Growers.

“I’m the seventh one in my family to have this role,” Milton said. “So I’m excited to carry on the family legacy.”

Although the current Duchess was born and raised in Oklahoma, her mom and family are originally from Tyler and grew roses as well.

“So being in the Rose Festival, it’s kind of a way for me to kind of embrace that part of my family and kind of carry on their legacy through this,” Milton said.

The 19-year-old is currently attending Southern Methodist University majoring in international studies and minoring in Spanish.

“The Rose Festival, along with the city of Tyler, has focused on the same mission each year as we celebrate the beauty of the rose, promote the local rose industry… its history and attract tourism to the city of Tyler,” Milton said at the gala. “I look forward to seeing everyone throughout the year as we plan and celebrate my family’s favorite flower — the rose.”

Other members of the court announced Thursday night include:

Ladies-in-Waiting

Miss Mary Helen Caton, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Glen Caton

Miss Harley Jayne Kay Cooper, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Wayne Cooper

Miss Tate Elise Elfarr, Daughter of Dr. & Mrs. William Alex Elfarr

Miss Frances Mygnone Foley, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Michael Foley

Miss Landry Kathryn Guy, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Sidney Guy, Jr.

Miss Lily Isabelle Hammer, Daughter of Mrs. Tiffany Daughtry Kidd & Mr. Scott David Hammer

Miss Caelyn Dru Kisamore, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Chad Douglas Kisamore

Miss Emma Joyce Lindsey, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Eugene Lindsey

Miss Claire Bergfeld Lofquist, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Barry Dean Lofquist

Miss Emma Lien-Nagle, Daughter of Drs. Ellisiv Lien & Chad McNeil

Miss Eva Grace Meads, Daughter of Dr. Shanna & Mr. Anthony Meads

Miss Annabelle Kelly Nowlin, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Jerry L. Nowlin, Jr.

Miss Martha Claire Patterson, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Greg Patterson

Miss Riley Brooke Rayzor, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Julian Richard Rayzor

Miss Katherine Elizabeth Sharkey, Daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Paul Cletus Sharkey

Miss Sarah Catherine Sims, Daughter of Dr. & Mrs. John Bryan Sims

Miss Macy Caroline Smith, Daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Kyle James Smith

Miss Caroline Slone Twaddell, Daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Timothy Jon Twaddell

Miss Caroline Nicole Wells, Daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Robert Brian Wells

Miss Kasey Lynn Wright, Daughter of Drs. Renee & Scott Wright

Royal Attendants to the Queen

Master Reeves Parker Bankston, Son of Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Dalton Bankston

Miss Vivian Kate Deere, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Jason Alan Deere

Miss Emerson Blaire Edwards, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Emerson Edwards

Master John Keller Lahourcade, Son of Dr. & Mrs. John Austin Lahourcade

Master Mark Thomas Land, Jr., Son of Mr. & Mrs. Mark Thomas Land, Sr.

Master Lawrence Lewis Loggins, Son of Mr. & Mrs. Lesley Luke Loggins

Master Styles Jax Morris, Son of Ms. Ashley Mizer Morris

Miss Grace Lindsey Peveto, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Grant Michael Peveto

Miss Camilla Rose Swann, Daughter of Mr.& Mrs. Elam Franklin Swann IV

Miss Kollins Jean Tucker, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Harris Tucker

Some of the out-of-town duchesses and court escorts were also present for Thursday night’s gala.