WEDDING OF DUKE OF WINDSOR

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22083, 4 May 1937, Page 9

WEDDING OF DUKE OF WINDSOR

SUGGESTED REASON FOR PRESENT PLANS TALE OF WARTIME COURTESY RECALLED (UHTTED PBESS ASSOCIATION —COPTBWHT.) (Received May 3, 9 p.m.) LONDON, May 2. The Tours correspondent of the "Daily Mail" says a story of the Duke of Windsor kissing a pretty French girl on the Somme battlefield lies behind the plans for his marriage. The Mayor of Mont, the nearest town to the Chateau de Cande, is Dr. Charles Mercier, whose wife recalls that when King George V visited the Somme front during the Great War, the British headquarters were situated in a village in which she resided. Her father frej quently entertained the officers, and she was chosen to present a bouquet to King George. The King thanked her and asked the Prince of Wales also to express thanks. The Prince shook her hand and kissed her on the cheek. Now Dr. Mercier, as chief magistrate, will marry the Duke of Windsor and Mrs Simpson. • Dr. Mercier confirms the statement that the date is not fixed, but he has. been asked to visit the chateau shortly to discuss arrangements with Mrs Simpson and the Duke of Windsor. Madame Mercier said: "I am sure the Duke has not forgotten the Somme incident. I should love to attend the wedding." Mrs Simpson has been playing much golf and looks sunburnt. The Duke of Windsor, it is expected, will be met at a secret rendezvous near Paris with a car from the chateau, in which Mrs Simpson may travel to greet him. MRS SIMPSON'S DIVORCE NOW ABSOLUTE (Received May 4, 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, May 3. Mrs Simpson's divorce decree has been made absolute. Within a few moments of the decision, the Duke of Windsor and Mrs Simpson were informed by telephone. It is now reported that the Duke of Windsor is leaving St. Wolfgang this afternoon, one day before he was expected to leave. He will entrain at Salzburg for France. The Duke of Kent is expected to, represent the,RoyaL Family at the wedding. The first part of. the honeymoon will be spent at the Villa Leroc, Lord Cholmondeley's estate at Cannes. ■ • . VILLAGERS' FAREWELL TO DUKE PICTURESQUE CEREMONY AT ST. WOLFGANG (Received May 3, 10 p.m.) ST. WOLFGANG, May 3. Villagers crowded in 50 illuminated 'boats gave a picturesque, farewell to the Duke of Windsor. Singers; and dancers with a brass band assembled on a platform supported by two barges and proceeded' to his villa after dusk, leading a procession of watercraft. Duke stood on the balcony for two hours listening to folk songs and watching the clogged performers demonstrate national dances. At the conclusion of the programme he received the burgomaster, who expressed the villagers' sense of honour over the Duke's visit. The simple pageant was unmarred even by the Nazis, who seized the opportunity to set on fire a giant wooden swastika on a hillside.