EX-KAISER'S WEDDING.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17625, 30 November 1922, Page 2

EX-KAISER'S WEDDING.

* CEREMONY AT DOORN. PRINCE KECKS PHOTOGRAPHER. LONDON", November 5. In beautiful spring-like weather the ex-Kaiser's wedding took place at Doom to-day. The civil marriage service was performed at 11.30 a.m. at the lodge, where the Princess Hermine slept, the burgomaster reading the service. The bridal pair 6igned the register as "Wilhelm the Second" and "Hermine von Reuss." The wedding party then formed a procession to the castle and ascended the gorgeously decorated stairs lined with the household staff to the main hall, where the religious ceiemo;iy was performed by Dr. Vogel, count chaplain at Poteuam. The bridal pair sat in two crimsongilt chairs draped with gilt covers and decorated with crowns, m front of the pulpit, with relations and witnesses in foms behind. Alter the service a reception was held in the ex-Kaiser's smoke-room, after which luncheon followed. The ex-Kaiser and his bride sat at the head of the oblong table, with guests on both sides. A silver model of St. George and the dragon occupied the end opposite the ex-±\aiser, and the centre-piece consisted of a massive ornament art high, engraved "W. 1.11." The whole table service was silver and red roses were everywhere. The presents included flowers from the Que?n of Holland, and the Junker Order of St. John, of wliich the ex-lvaiser is head, sent a souvenir explaining thai poverty prevented an expensive present. All Wilhelm's domestic entourage were threatened with the direst penalties if they disclosed information before or after the wedding, and even the notable guests were warned of the grave consequences of violating the pledges of secrecy. O'ne account states that the following is a translation of the German composition sung at the wedding :-r----"They married him darkly at dead of night, With a knot there's no untying, Only the priest had a taper light, And the bride in the dark was sighing." Wilhelm wore his field-marshal's uniform, and his sons were arrayed in the gaudy trappings of militarism. Princess Heimine's magnificent robe was of lilac chiffon and veiour. The "Weekly Dispatch's" correspondent at D'oorn describes the armies of Press photographers playing Hide and seek with Wilhelm and Willie before the wedding took piace, the latter showing an unsuspected turn of speed in evading the camera. The Princess Eitel Friedrich, and Henry suitably "gilded" the whole business. Arriving at D'oorn station they were confronted by . the usual squad of cameras. An operator lit a magnesium flare, and Prince Henry rushed and kicked him in the stomach. with the true Hohenzollern spirit. Then he turned, with royal condescension, to address the crowd of German servant girls, but interrupted himself, heatedly and repeatedly, to cry "Stupid! stupid!" at the 1 camera mou. Prince Eitel is now huge and bloated, like the war caricatures of the firmans, so that it is quite possible to understand that he was anxious to avoid the lens. He swore furiously at the photographer on the platform. Count Bentinck roused indignation by ordering the police to drive btick the people standing quietly near. The correspondent adds that the exOrown Princess' policy of retirement and patient waiting for a recall of the monarchy is ended. The_ direction of the Hohenzollern policy is passing to the energetic and ambitious Hermine, who is prepared to attack with the most daring monarchists, and is determined to restore her new husband to his old castle at Berlin.