DUKE’S WEDDING

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22111, 5 June 1937, Page 15

DUKE’S WEDDING

. ♦ BRIEF SERVICE AT CHATEAU RELIGIOUS CEREMONY FRENCH MAYOR’S ADDRESS TO COUPLE (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (Received June 4, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 3. “By one of the chances of destiny the most moving idyll of all time takes place under the blue skies of France, amidst the flowers and trees of the Chateau.de Cande,” said Dr. Charles Mercier (Mayor of Monts) after performing the civil ceremony at the marriage of the Duke of Windsor and Mrs Warfield. “I salute your Royal Highness as the former sovereign of a most friendly nation. I greet in the name of France the Prince and her whom his Royal Highness has chosen from a noble country attached to us by the same precious bonds. I present you with most sincere wishes for your happiness.” On his arrival at the chateau, Dr. Mercier was conducted to the salon and took his place at a table opposite two armchairs in which sat the bride and bridegroom. Major E. D. Metcalfe, the best man, sat on the Duke’s left, and Mr Herman Rogers, who gave away the bride, sat beside Mrs Warfield. The guests were seated in rows behind the couple. The ceremony was very simple and was finished in 12 minutes. The Mayor read the relevant articles of the civil code under which the couple promise fidelity and to help each other: the husband must protect the wife; the wife must obey the husband and must live with him and follow him wherever he deems fit, and the husband must maintain the wife in accordance with his status. Civil Marriage The Mayor, addressing the Duke and using all his Christian names and titles, including Admiral of the Fleet, Field-Marshal and Marshal of the Air Force of Great Britain, asked If he took Mrs Wallis Warfield as his wife. The Duke replied in firm, clear tones: “Oui, Monsieur le Maire.” Dr. Mercier repeated the question to Mrs Warfield, who replied; “Oui,” in a slightly unsteady voice. The Mayor then declared: “In the name of the law we declare you united in the bonds of matrimony.” Only 11 persons witnessed the civil ceremony—Mrs Beryl Merriman (Mrs Warfield’s aunt). Major Metcalfe, Mr and Mrs Herman Rogers, the Prefect of Tours, the Commissioner of Police, and five j< urnalists. Most of the other guests waited in the library, which was transformed into a bower with scores of bouquets, baskets of flowers, and several American flags. Nowhere in the decorations were any British flags. The famous French organist, M. Marcel Dupre, played the “Wedding March,” while the wedded couple proceeded to the music-room for the religious ceremony, during which there were tears in the Duke of Windsor’s eyes. Though he made his responses clearly and firmly, once or twice the bride placed an encouraging hand on his arm. The Duke did not kiss the bride either at the civil or the religious ceremony. . . At the conclusion of the religious ceremony, a bouquet from the Prime Minister of France (M. Leon Blum) was presented to the Duke and Duchess, who returned to the salon to receive the congratulations of the guests. Religious Ceremony The religious ceremony was conducted according to the full rites of the Church of England, including the bride’s promise to obey. Brilliant earrings, set with eight flashing sapphires and a diamond bracelet with dangling crosses, adorned the bride, who stood at the altar beside the bridegroom. When the Rev. Anderson Jardine, 1 wearing his surplice and purple stole, began the service the Duke was inclined to fidget. His voice was high-pitched when he replied: “I will.” Mrs Warfield’s responses were soft. The Duke was deeply moved when he repeated the words: “With this ring I thee wed,” and his hand trembled as he placed the wedding ring on the bride’s finger. The wedded pair knelt on white satin cushions during the Lord’s Prayer and Blessing, after which, to the music of the “Wedding March,” the bride, holding her husband’s arm, followed by the guests, left the room. A reception was held in the salon. Major Metcalfe proposed the toast of the bride and bridegroom. The Duke of Windsor laughingly replied: “We both thank you feelingly for your kind and friendly attendance. The occasion is so important for us.” The Duke „nd Duchess then greeted every guest. The Duchess was happy but reserved, and thoroughly composed. The Duke and Duchess then posed for photographers in front of the Chateau. While the bride was talking to the guests, some of them addressed her as “Wallis,” and others as “Your Grace” and “Duchess.” The Departure The wedding breakfast lasted for about an hour. The table was decorated with pink carnations on either side of a three-foot, eighttiered wedding cake. The Duke was in an extremely happy mood throughout the breakfast. The wedding cake was cut by the Duke and Duchess together with an ordinary table-knife. Two thousand congratulatory telegrams were brought in shortly after the wedding breakfast. The Duchess’s going-away costume was a dark blue coat and skirt with a printed blue and white flowered blouse. The Duke and Duchess left the , chateau by G»tr at 6.30 p.m.

Waving in acknowledgement of the farewell cheers, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor drove off escorted by a police car and four motor-cyclists. For three miles from Monts the road was lined on both sides by Mobile Guards, who we«e placed 15 yards apart. The bridal car, followed by a luggage van, proceeded to Laroche Migennes, a small wayside station, where the Duke and Duchess are expected *to board the express shortly before midnight, on the way to Wasserleonburg for their honeymoon. Dr. Mercier revealed that the marriage record, which will be kept in the official archives at Monts, was signed by the bride and bridegroom in French, as follows: “Edward Due de Windsor,” and “Wallis Duchesse de Windsor.”