PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WED IN ABBEY

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30115, 26 April 1963, Page 2

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WED IN ABBEY

Honeymoon Begins In Highlands

(N Z J’.A -Reuter—Copynsht)

LONDON, April 25.

Brniwas Alexandra and her husband, Mr Angus Ogilvy, arrived just before midnight last night at secluded Birkhall, near Balmoral Castle, for their honeymoon in the Scottish Highlands.

For both of them it had been a long, hectic day. Behind them was the ceremonial pomp and splendour of Westminister Abbey’s tenth Royal wedding in 700 years. Ahead of them is a few weeks together in “complete privacy” at three-storey Birkhall, on the Queen’s Balmoral estate. The house, lent by the Queen Mother, stands in 6500 acres of woodland and deer forests.

Just before leaving London, the Princess, dressed in a suit of flamingo pink, told a group of newspapermen: “It’s been quite an ordeal, but it’s all over now.” Then she turned to Mr Ogilvy with a smile and stepped aboard a Heron of the Queen’s Flight for Scotland.

The day began with a chill morning and a threat of rain. Thousands who lined the route from Princess Alexandra’s home at Kensington Palace to the Abbey looked anxiously at the grey skies overhead. Many, including groups of Australians and New Zealanders. camped at vantage points with blankets and hot tea all night. They were not disappointed. The weather held and a pale sun broke through as the Princess drove in stately escort to be wed

As he waited in the Abbey for the bride to arrive. Mr Ogilvy, who is 34. smiled and seemed at ease.

A fanfare of trumpets heralded the arrival of Princess Alexandra. She walked into the Abbey on the arm of her brother

Magnolia Lace The Princess wore a dress of magnolia-tinted lace, with acorn and oak leaves. The veil, 20 yards long, was of the same fabric. She wore the same diamond fringe tiara worn by her mother. Princess Marina, at her own Abbey wedding to the Duke of Kent in 1934. In keeping with tradition. Princess Alexandra was two minutes late reaching the Abbey. She was greeted with cheers and clapping as her train was arranged fanwise to spread on the dull

red carpet beneath the awning of the west door.

Princess Anne, the senior bridesmaid, wore a bandeaucf silk around her hair as she stepped behind the bride with the other three bridesmaids. The bride smiled warmly as her own fanfare sounded moved down the bluecarpeted aisle as the congregation sang the hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy. Lord God Almighty ” She and her brother joined the groom and his best man on the steps of .the sacristy before the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev A M. Ramsey. Princess Anne and the other bridesmaids and pages waited at the foot of the steps The Queen and other Royal guests stood a few yards away as the wedding started a few minutes behind schedule. No Sermon There was no sermon, at the request of the couple Instead, the vicar of Kensington read the thirteenth chapter of the First Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians. The form - of service was that used when the bride’s mother and father were married here in 1934 The Princess, speaking softly, said, “I will.” when asked if she would ‘‘love, honour and obey’’ her husband. Mr Ogilvy placed the ring on her finger in the simple ceremony before the couple knelt on stools made for the Queen's Coronation The couple then moved to two damask-covered kneeling desks in front of the high altar, while the choir sang the thirty-seventh Psalm The vast congregation knelt as prayers were chanted by the richly-garbed clergyman. The bride and groom, followed by Princess Anne, went with the Archbishop and Dean into the chapel of Edward the Confessor, to

sign the registers, including the Royal Register, which is kept at Buckingham Palace. The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Marina, the Duke and Duchesse of Kent, and the groom's parents, the Earl and Countess of Airlie, as well as his brother and his wife, Lord and Lady Ogilvy, and the best man, also joined the signing. Drive To Reception The bride and groom left the Abbey to the skirl of bagpipes. Thousands cheered them as they left in the Royal glass coach on their way to the reception at St. James’s Palace. Scarlet and gold-liveried Household Cavalry formed a glittering escort for the procession from the Abbey Soldiers of the Princess’s regiments and hundreds of policemen stood to attention along the flag-bedecked route Five hundred guests toasted the couple in champagne at the reception, given by Princess Marina. The bride and groom, amid cheers, mounted the rostrum on which stood the wedding cake. Holding a silver knife together they cut the first wedge amid cheers and laughter. Then Mr Ogilvy, turning to his bride with a smile, said amid more laughter: “Go on. Do the lot." The Duke of Kent gave the toast “The bride and bridegroom” and Mr Ogilvy replied. After posing for photographs. the Princess changed into a wool costume and matching overcoat and hat Bystanders and television viewers saw the couple given a gay, informal farewell at the doors of St. James’s Palace They kissed their families goodbye and waved happily to the crowds Handfuls of rice and confetti were showered on the laughing couple as they climbed into their car which moved off to the airport and away from the crowds and the cheering to the quiet of the highlands.

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