LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The 2025 Kentucky Derby Festival Queen was crowned Saturday night during the 67th annual Fillies Derby Ball in downtown Louisville.
Elizabeth King, of Georgetown, was crowned after the traditional spin of a wheel. She is a senior Presidential Scholar at the University of Kentucky pursuing dual degrees in Finance and Flute Performance.
“I am feeling just in shock still. I don’t think it’s truly, truly set in,” King said after being crowned. “I am really grateful and excited for the Derby season ahead.”
According to Kentucky Derby Festival, King is a Gatton College of Business Ambassador, UK Homecoming Queen, Principal Flutist for the UK Wind Symphony, and Preliminary Talent Winner at Miss Kentucky. As Miss Danville, King partners with Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass to promote the service initiative she founded, Mind Your Money – Investing in Financial Literacy, bringing financial education to Kentucky’s classrooms.
The other members of the Court are Lilly Deljoo of Louisville, Madeline Duff of Prestonsburg, Erica McPheeters of Louisville and Hannah Rager of Bremen.
The court will reign over the upcoming Derby Festival and attend nearly every official KDF event. This year's court was selected after attending final judging with 32 other finalist candidates. There were almost 100 applicants to the court.
Each royal court member will receive $2,000 in scholarship money. One $1,000 scholarship comes from The Fillies, Inc. while another $1,000 scholarship comes from Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation.
The first Kentucky Derby Festival Princess was crowned in 1957.
Related Stories:
- Kentucky Derby Festival introduces 2025 Royal Court in Louisville
- Kentucky Derby Festival crowns 2024 queen from Louisville
- Kentucky Derby Festival unveils 2024 Royal Court ahead of 150th Kentucky Derby
- KDF unveils 2024 Pegasus Pegasus Pin celebrating Derby 150
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
