We're not sure that Prince Jean de France, Duc de Vendome, had any notion of what awaited him as he landed in Houston on Saturday. But we are certain that he will never forget the day that he was whisked from international arrivals at IAH and transported way west to Somerville Acres for a colorful afternoon of ridin', ropin and chowin' down.

The prince is in Houston this week for a round of parties and for a charity luncheon on Tuesday at the Hilton Americas-Houston, where he will talk on royal weddings, including his own, in anticipation of England's royal merger on Friday.

His Royal Highness, as he is wont to be called (never mind that untidiness with Marie Antoinette and friends), arrived with a set of suede riding britches in his luggage. His gracious host for the afternoon, Paul Somerville, had taken care of the boots (ostrich), plaid shirt, western hat and belt with requisite rodeo buckle. So the prince, who hadn't ridden western since an experience way-back in Europe, found himself fully outfitted and sitting astride a frisky mount for a good part of the afternoon.

Entertainment on horseback

He was a great sport throughout the day, time change notwithstanding and jet lag not evident. Somerville put on the best that his wooded, 400-acre horse ranch has to offer with his pals Mike Wells, former president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and Helen Nalls, rodeo competitor, demonstrating their cutting edge horse skills.

Somerville, a past rodeo chairman himself, tapped a few cowboys to demonstrate calf roping and brought in hot shot trick roper Nolan Leach of San Antonio for a breathtaking show. Most of the ladies in the group of about 50 guests swooned over the talented 23-year-old who enjoyed enough roping talent, good looks and charming manners to win a contract with a major movie studio — alas, if only they still made old-style westerns. This first part of the afternoon took place at the Somerville stables and huge horse barn where the prince had practiced his western riding skills.

Chow time!

After the demonstrations and photo ops with the prince, the party crowd moved over to another section of the ranch to the party barn, situated on a peninsula in a manmade lake. For this second half of the day-into-night affair, Somerville brought in a cooking team that had spent the afternoon roasting scrumptious prime rib over hot coals. Blueberry cobbler and yeast bread were cooked in dutch ovens over coals as well. And among the wines served were some of those that our host had purchased at the Rodeo Uncorked! wine auction. A western music group kept the dance floor busy for much of the night.

The prince was such a good sport that he joined the line dancing demonstration where Susan Krohn and Patrick Gehm, Karen and Scott Rozzell, Brenda Love and Ed Jones, Cathy and Mel Jodeit and Joanne King Herring (catalyst for the entire thing) tried their talents at side-together-step, clap, clap, clap and such. Also in the mix were Bellaire City Councilman Corbett Parker, Ch. 13 news reporter Miya Shay, Robin King and Beau King.

Clayton and Connie Cooke, who chairs Tuesday's luncheon, joined in every bit of the fun that was so graciously provided by Paul Somerville. With parties planned every night and day through Wednesday, Connie has her hands full.

The luncheon benefits Joanne King Herring's Marshall Plan for Afghanistan, building a model village.