DUKE’S WEDDING

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 June 1937, Page 7

DUKE’S WEDDING

MR. JARDINE'S EXPLANATION

WHY HE VOLUNTEERED I [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, June 5. Rev. Anderson Jardine’s church at Darlington was packed by 500 sightseers, while hundreds more crowded the churchyard, when he married a Darlington coach-painter,.. .--.George Gamble, and Miss Doris Haylett. . He used the same Praybr Book that he had used at the Duke of Windsor’s, wedding, but it now contains a flyleaf inscription in the Duke’s handwriting: “To the Rev. Anderson Jardine in remembrance 3-6-1937. —Edward, Duke of Windsor.” The Duchess also added her signature., Mr Jardine says: “I shall now put? the book away. It is too sacred to use again.” He said that only f° u1 ’ of the letters he had received criticised his officiating at the Duke’s wedding. Asked whether the Duke of Windsor would stand by him in any consequences, Mr Jardine replied: “Whatever happens will be referred 'to the Duke’s solicitors.” He said: “I went to Tours, simply;; to give the Duke and Duchess the desire of their hearts-, which was a religious service; That I have done, but it did not involve a second marriage certificate. The civil ceremony had to be registered in the ordinary way and no other was required.” When informed of Mr Jardine’s return the Bishop of Fulham (Rt. Rev. B. S. Batty) said: “As far as the Bishop, of Fulham is concerned, no further action will be taken.”

“GOD’S INSTRUMENT.”

(Recd. June 7, 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 6.

St. Paul’s Darlington was packed at evensong, when Mr. Jardine preaching, declared a newspaper heading “No Religious Ceremony for the Duke of Windsor,” was God’s instrument, moving him to act. He added that the Duke’s position as a member of the Royal Family, and his devoted service to the Empire for a quarter of a century, should have made such a thing as a marriage without religious ceremony impossible. Moreover, he and Mrs. Warfield sought it, but the Duke could find nobody to officiate. He was overjoyed when he found it possible to have his heart’s desire. * .■„■■■■■■■ Mr. Jardine contended that the Church requires nothing more than the innocent parties should ask for a religious service, yet while the church banned the clergy, the wheels of Providence were moving, and history was being mace at Chateau de Cande.

“I, an unknown parson, was destined to perforin the ceremony,” he added. “All the powers of Hell could not stop the wheels of God turning, until he commanded them to stop. Thus the desire of an adorable couple has been satisfied. Joy and satisfaction has been given to millions throughout the Empire. Moreover I believe I saved the British Government and the Anglican Church from inevitable future regret that they had not authorised a religious ceremony. My action has restored the faith of many in God and the Church.”

A member of the congregation has inaugurated a hundred thousand shilling fund for Mr. Jardine.

HONEYMOON CASTLE’ REACHED.

VIENNA, June 5.

The Duke and" Duchess of Windsor arrived at Wasserleonburg Castle at 12.15 a.m. : . ’

A message from Venice stated that throughout their stay in Venice the Duke and Duchess were enthusiastically greeted by big crowds, and both acknowledged the applause- by raising their hands in the Fascist salute. Crowds at the station also gave the Fascist salute, and shouted, “Long live the Duke and Duchess.” A later message stated that the couple arrived at Arnoldstein at midnight. They detrained and proceeded immediately by car to Wasserleonburg Castle.

— - NO' FILMS FOR BRITAIN

(Recd. June 7, Noon) LONDON, June 6

Newsreel pictures; of. the Duke of Windsor’s wedding will be- shown on the Continent and in America, but the film industry decided to ban the pictures in Britain, It is stated that the decision is voluntary but was arrived at in conformity with what is understood to be Whitehall policy of not affording undue publicity. The film is reported to contain many interesting shots of the couple, before and after the- ceremony, but there is no interior picture of either the civil or the religious ceremony.

GERMAN PRINCE'S MARRIAGE.

(Recd. June 7. 11.30 a.m'.)

BERLIN, June 6

Prince Ernst Leopold Zur Llepdetmold, 35, married, a 25-ye.ar-old commoner. Hertha Weiland, manageress of a Berlin dress shop. None of the bridegroom’s family attended the ceremony.

Prince Ernst, who renounced his hereditary rights in 1924 on his marriage with an actress, from whom he had been divorced in 1935, is a cousin of Princess ■ Juliana’s" husband.' Bernard.