ROYAL WEDDING

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 106, 7 May 1931, Page 15

ROYAL WEDDING

DESCENDANTS OF KINGS

A Boyal wedding, which took place recently in the ancient Cathedral o£ Palermo, Sicily, was,that'pf a daughter of a hundred kings—a princess of tho Boyal Hues of France and Brazil. The beautiful and slim'young bride was tho 18-year-old. Princess JLsabelle Marie Aniolie Louise Viefcorie Tkeresc Jeanne of Orleans, and Braganee. Her- father is Prince Pierre, who waß born in Bio de Janeiro, of the. now-vanished Brazilian dynasty, established by the Boyal Bragances of Portugal before their own Boyal house was overturned by irate subjects. The bridegroom was a grandson of Francis, last- King, Louis Philippe, and heir to the throne, should there be such a thing as a restoration of BoyaJty. He was Prince Henri, Count of Paris, scion of .the Boyal houso of Orleans and Bourbon, which provided kings for half the thrones of Europe for centuries. Cousinship of a sort exists between the bride and tho 23----year-old bridegroom, for both are directly descended from King Louis Philippe. ' . FOBMEK KOYALTY. . Despite vanished kingdoms, the mrptials were carried out with regal splendour, and were attended by hundreds of Europe's aristocrats, for the line of rank was rigidly drawn when the ! invitations wore sent out. Most of the ruling houses were represented. The former Queen Amelie of Portugal, and scores of princes, princesses, dukes and duchesses of France, Greece, Portugal, and Brazil, who still possess ancestral nstates and titles, but have no Boyal Court in which to enjoy the privileges of their rank, mingled with the more fortunate aristocrats of Spain, Denmark, Belgium, Bumimiii, and Italy.

PORTtTNE IN GIFTS. Tlio bride, clad in robes of white: and 'silver, was givon in marriage by her futher, Prince Pierre, and her witnesses were. Prince Henry of Orleans and Prince Adam.Czartor,y,ski,. The Infante Carlos of Spain, and the Duke of

Aplia, of tho Boyal house of Savoy, and cousin of the King of Italy, acted tor Prince Henri. Cardinal Lavitrano pronounced tho nuptial benediction before the high ornamental altar, and'low Mass followed. The Prince and -his bride will make their' homo at the Chateau d'Aigmont in the Belgian Ardennes, near' Brussels. .-Before going there, however, they are.making a tour |of the Courts of Europe. A King's ransom in bridal gifts was given to the young Prince and Princess in jewels and treasures .of every sort. The gathering of Europe's aristocracy for tlie wedding was ono of the strangest social events in . years. The usual coronet-encrusted invitations were not issued. Instead, notice' was given out that all those of certain rank would-bo welcome. It was to this, extraordinary invitation that the great throng which filled the hotels of Palermo responded.