Original Prince of Wales

Founded 1928

History of the Original Prince of Wales       

  The Original Prince of Wales was named during the 1927 visit of his royal prince of Wales to New Orleans. The founders of this Social and Pleasure Club, chose the name as a way of saying that they were all Royal Princes, as the royal prince of the time was a very popular figure.

Throughout the 1920s Edward, as Prince of Wales, represented his father, King George V, at home and abroad on many occasions. He took a particular interest in visiting the poverty stricken areas of the British country, and undertook 16 tours to various parts of the British Empire between 1919 and 1935, in the process acquiring the Bedingfield ranch, near Pekisko, Canada. In 1924, he donated the Prince of Wales Trophy to the National Hockey League.

What the founders of the club didn't know, was that his attitudes towards many of the Empire's subjects and various foreign peoples, both during his time as Prince of Wales and later as Duke of Windsor, were little commented upon in their time but have soured his reputation subsequently. He said of Indigenous Australians: "they are the most revolting form of living creatures I've ever seen!! They are the lowest known form of human beings & are the nearest thing to monkeys."

The Princes rank, travels, good looks, and unmarried status gained him so much attention; he soon became the 1920s version of a latter-day movie star. At the height of his popularity, he became the most photographed celebrity of his time and he set men's fashion. We are sure that this played a part in the process.

Founded in the 12th Ward of the city, Original Prince of Wales Mens Benevolent Association, brought most of their early fashions from New Orleans fashion designer, Harry Hienman Taylor, owner of National Taylor. The club made it's own accessories. 

Funerals in the 1930's costs between $300 to $500 and a policy issued at the time went for about $3 per month, plus club dues at about $1.50 per month.

Today, the fashion is done by a chosen seamstress, and the accessories are farmed out! The women have a division called the Lady Wales, and march with their brothers on parade day.

The original founders had no idea, that the club would last 81 years.