ROYAL WEDDING.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17749, 28 April 1923, Page 13

ROYAL WEDDING.

NATION REJOICES. THE ABBEY CEREMONY. BRIDE RAISED TO H.R.H. ■BY CABLE-PRESS ASSOCIATION—IOPnUGHT.) (austiuliax an-d x.z. caple association.) LOXDO.N, April 2d. In spite- of the long wait in the cold and rain, the crowds in the vicinity of Westminster Abbey were in the highest spirits when the wedding guests began to arrive at ten o'clock. ' Many had stood for hours to get a good place, including many from the Dominions. It was essentially a woman's day. While the menfolk were going to the city their wives and daughters were gathering in the Mall and Whitehall. Every typist, clerk, and shopgirl in London seemed to be holiday-making. The underground railways alone handled five million passengers. Apart f-on. the people in the streets, the big stands in Broadway Sanctuary were crowded. There thirty-five hundred seats were sold on behalf of the Abbey restoration fund and Westminster Hospital, some bringing as high as live and ten guineas each. The place was ablaze with colour, the scarlet and gold draperies of the stands vieing with the beflagged blue and white pylons capped with the monograms "A" and "IS." Even the lamp posts and street refuges were painted silver.

Colonial and other journalists were allotted seats specially erected in a staud in the aisle of the north transept of the Abbev.

Tin- only flowers were on tlif altar, which was decked with sacrnd vessel? and a gold seven-branched candle-stick and altar-cloth presented by the King and Queen, showing them kneeling in their Coronation robes. When the Arehbishops of Canterbury and York arrived in their vestments of green and gold and scarlet, accompanied by the canon and minor officiating clergy, the colour scheme was complete. The procession met the King and Queen and bridal party in the western doorway. The clergy took their seats around the altar and on the sedelia, which forms part of the tomb of King Sebert, the mythical founder of the Abbey. The Royalties were heralded by a Boyal Standard party of Gentleinen-at-Arms, who wore gilt be-plumed helmets throughout the service, as soldiers on duty. They were assisted by a body of Boy Scouts in khaki with green scarves, who showed the guests to their seats in the choir transepts. These included Ambassadors and their ladies, Cabinet Ministers and their wives, Dominion Premiers, High Commissioners, and leading Army, Navy, and Air Force officers, all in uniform, wearing orders and medals. Mr Lloyd George's shock of whits hair was prominent among the nonofficials. Other interesting groups included black-coated Labour members and working lads, chosen by tho Industrial Welfare Society to represent the youth of British industry, in which the bridegroom is specially interested. The vast congregation rose as Deau Byle and the Abbey clergy led the Eoyal procession up the nave and through the choir screen to scarlet and silver seats in the sacrarium under the picture of the ill-fated Hichard the Second.

Princess Mary, in a cream frock, ■with biscuit coloured facings, accompanied her mother. Another charming personality was Princess Pat, with Commander Ramsay. The Queen was a noble figure, in blue, with a striking silver hat; but perhaps the most notable figure was Queen Aloxandra, in mauve, who took full part of the service, and seemed the youngost woman of her yoars in Europe.

The King and other Royalties took their seats at the right of tho altar, with Lady Strathmore and the bride's relations and friends opposite. Moanwhilo the bridesmaids awaited the Ear] of Strathmore and the brido in the little Poets' Corner at the end of the nave.

The bride, a virginal figure, wore a light veil loaned by -Queen Mary. Tho wedding gown was sleeveless, but tho bridesmaids wore long gloves, which havo been out of fashion for a long time. Eacli had a bunch of white flowers at the side of her hair, and wore no hat. The bridesmaids carried bouquets of white York roses. As the bride passed the grave of the Unknown Warrior in tho nave, she released her father's arm and placed her bouquet on the tomb. She then joined the bridegroom at the altar steps.

The bridegroom was in the blue-grey uniform and gold belt of the Royal Air Force. He was supported by the Prince of Wales and Prince Henry.

As the Bridal Hymn ended the bride and bridegroom knelt, and Dean Ryle commenced the service, the Archbishop of Canterbury taking the actual marriage ceremony. Every word could be heard in the transept and choir when he pronounced the kneeling couple man and wife, and gave his blessing, but tho responses of the bride and bridegroom were heard only by the relatives in the Sacrarium.

The Archbishop of York's resonant voice told well in the address to the bridal couple. The music throughout was beautifully rendered, particularly Parry's Bridal March. ■\Yhen the service ended, the King and Queen and Queen Alexandra went into Edward the Confessor's chapel to sign the register, but most of the signatures were added at Buckingham Palace, where the register was taken. Later it was returned to the Abbey, and shown to the public, who were allowed to enter the Abbey for a shilling apiece on behalf of the Abboy restoration fund. The bridß and bridegroom had a great reception in the streets when returning to the Palace by a long route, while the steefiles and spires of

the city were uttering their jul'iiee in obedience to Tennyson's cull in his "Welcome to Queen Alexandra." Queen Mary entertained a great P-'irty at the Palace. SHOO children ol' the London County Council's schools feasting at the Prince's expense. Each Party had a heavily-iced cake four feet high, in addition to a morsel of the real wedding cake. Cinema photographers exerted great efforts to obtain a complete fiini record of the marriage procession, and the first copy whs ready at three in the afternoon. One company, during the afternoon, printed thirty-five miles of film, which was despatched all over the country for exhibition at evening performances. The change of the weather into brilliant sunshine caused many waverors to change their minds at the last minute, and by ten o'clock every route was lined yards deep by spectators. As the King and Queen left Buckingham Palace, the cheers, beginning at the Palace, swelled down the entire length of the iMall, which broke into a brilliant display of flags and coloured streamers. The other carriages had similar ovations. The carriage containing the bride and bridegroom was drawn at a slow pace to enable as many as possible to get glimpses of the couple. Both repeatedly bowed to calls of "Long Live the Duke and Duchess," and "Have a good honeymoon." Though thousands of special constables were engaged, it was obvious that more would be necessary, and the police were reinforced by soldiers to hold back the pushing, swaying crowd. Along the route in the Mall seven women fainted in a spare of live minutes, and were removed in ambulances.

Inside the Palace the bride and bridegroom were received by their Majesties in the Grand Hall. After a short interval the King and Queen, the Duke and his bride and others of the family appeared on the balcony for a few minutes, amidst the tremendous and sustained cheering of the assembled crowd. Eight thousand poor children in Belfast were entertained by tho Duke of York. On the children's behalf a telegram was sent wishing him and his bride long life and happiness. The Duke replied wishing them "a. jolly afternoon and all good 1 luck in future." Bruton place was also a centre of attraction, a large crowd waiting to soe the bride leave her home for tho Abbey. When their Majesties left Buckingham Palace the weather was dry and the sun was trying to break through. The Queen's dress was of soft aquamarine tissue, veiled with a classically draped overdress, in which a white Rose of York was interwoven with delicate blue threads. There were also showers of blue tinted aquamarine crystals on the skirt, corsage, and sleeves. The departure of the Duke of York and his groomsmen from the Palace was the signal for great cheering, but perhaps the greatest ovation was that accorded tho bride as, with her lather, she passed Hyde Park Corner. The sun shone through as the bride entered the Abbey. Princess Mary and Viscount Lasrelles joned the procession of Royalties within tho Abbey. The Duko of York was dressed in the Royal Air Force uniform, wearing tho Star and' Ribbon of tho Garter, and the Star of the. Order of the Thistle. The Prince of "Wales was dressed in naval uniform, and, Prince Honry in the uniform of his regiment. There was tumultuous cheering from the seetlung throng, which gathered in bright sunshine before tho Abbey. The bridal pair, -who received cordial greetings from their Majesties and other Royalties after the signing o£ the register, entered their carriage at the Abbey door, and again there waa prolonged cheering among the spectators, the Dulte of York and his bridte smilingly and gracefully acknowledging the ovation.

Tho wedding breakfast was held in the State dining-room, where there was a brilliant scene. The members of the Royal Family and a few privileged Court officials were assembled there, while in the adjacent supper-room a hundred high State officials and monitors of the Household' were gathered. The King proposed the toast of the bride and bridegroom. It is- officially announced that the King has conferred the Order of the Thistle on tho Jhiko of York, tho G.C.V.O. on the Earl.of Strathmore (the bride's father) and. the C.V.O. on Wing-Commander Greig, Comptroller of the Duke's Household. j The Duchess of York will be styled "Royal Highness," ranking next to Princess Mary. Tho King and Queen gu-ve a .third reception at Buckingham Palace. The bridal pair shared the honours with Princess Mary, whose twenty-sixth birthday was celebrated the previous day. When the Duke visited the headquarters of the Amalgamated Engineers' Union, Mr Brownlie, the president, assured the Duke, "You will be safe in the hands of a Scottish lassie." The Duke pioked out Mr Brownlie at the King's party at Buckingham Palace, and presented his finance, saying: "Here is tho Scottish lassie, Mr Brownlie."

The wedding was celebrated at the Glamis Estate. The whole region is en fete, including the town of Forfar. The children and villagers were entertained at sports and a banquet, and there was a huge bonfire.

LONDON AT NIGHT. (Eeceived April 27th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 27. The King has bestowed the dignity of Princess on the bride. London continued the wedding festival throughout the evening. Far into the night the streets in the West End were thronged with people from the suburbs and country, reinforced by crowds which had seen the wedding, but still were reluctant to go home. The pavements in mnny places were impassable, especiali, in Piccadilly Cireua, Begent street, Oxford street, and Whitehall, the sightseers including hundreds of family parties. The windows of the principal shops and stores were lit up, and these, with the

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addition of electric signs and illuminations, flooded the streets with a blaze of light. Programmes and souvenirs were still being sold. The more boisterous spirits amused themselves with confetti, streamers, motley caps, trumpets, whistles, and mouth-organs, while jubilant couples danced beneath Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.

Every theatre and cinema was full. When th© audiences poured out, many went to the already overcrowded hotels, where there were gala dances. The rest mingled witli the street revellers. Seven thousand roses were used in the- decorations in one hotel, where* there were two thousand guests. There were roses everywhere docking th© dancing rooms and hotel lounges. Every hotel hodi surprise souvenirs for th© guests, including lucky shoes, wedding bolls, and portions of wedding cake. The Prince of Wales dined at Clnridge's, aiud afterwards went to a ball at Lansdowne House in nid of the Queen Victoria. Nursing Institute.

HONEYMOON IN SURREY. (Received April 27th, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, April 26. The Duke of York and his bride have departed on their honeymoon, which is to be spent in Surrey. They received a rousing send-off along the route from the Palace to Waterloo. They had an equally rousing send-off from the Koyalties at the Palace. The Duke's brothers, with the Duke of Counaught and the bridesmaids, bombarded them with rose petals in the courtyard, the Queen and Princess Mary watching the fun from the balcony. The villagers of Bookham, where the honeymoon will be spent, have arranged for tho presentation of an address of welcome. It is authoritatively stated that the bride automatically became her Royal Highness the Duchess of York .An her marriage. The King, however, .bestowed the dignity of Princess. This decision was arrived at on Wednesday night. The Earl of Strathmore. in a letter to a family retainer, says the Duke of York was a devoted suitor for two <w three years.