CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article incorrectly referred to the two princesses as first and second princess. The princesses have equal rank. We regret the error.

The masters of ceremonies had already crowned the Raspberry Festival’s new princesses. First, Samantha Anderson was crowned princess. Then Jimilyn Rouse was crowned princess.

The remaining eight candidates held hands, the nervousness showing on each one's face. After going by each candidate a few times, 2011-12 Raspberry Festival Queen Karissa Mathiason placed the tiara on Tiara Gowen's head. 

Gowen's selection was the highlight of the Hopkins Raspberry Festival Royalty Coronation, which took place Thursday evening at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. The event, which followed Tuesday’s senior coronation and Wednesday’s junior coronation, capped off this week’s trilogy of Raspberry Festival coronations.

The 2008-09 Queen Abby Massee and 2012 Minneapolis Aquatennial Commodore Tom LaSalle were the masters of ceremonies. Nearly a third of the crowd was visiting royalty from other festivals and pageants in Minnesota. Each candidate was introduced and took her place on stage. After presentations by the St. Paul Winter Carnival and Minneapolis Aquatennial royalty, the candidates then told the audience a little bit more about themselves and answered a question picked randomly from a fishbowl. 

The large crowd of visiting royalty were introduced and last year's royalty gave their farewells. Then the moment everyone waited for had arrived. 

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(Have you been shooting photos of the Raspberry Festival events? Don’t forget to upload your best shots for a chance to win Stages Theatre Co. passes.)

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