ROYAL WEDDING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 420, 10 June 1922, Page 5

ROYAL WEDDING.

CEREMONY IN BELGRADE. CURIOUS MARRIAGE CUSTOMS. BELGRADE. June B. A mediaeval spectacle, curiously combined with modern customs, characterised the marriage of King Alexander and Pi incess Marie. Fifty thousand troops were concentrated in the capital. The marriage procession passed through streets held by a double line of soldiers, and was headed by riders representing all tho provinces of .)ngo-Slavia, who wore gain costumes recalling the comic operas and romances to which the Balkans have furnished a background. At the door of tho Cathedral, where the marriage was igrformcd with the iiies of the Greek Church, the Patriarch, splendidly robed, met the Royal couple, who kissed the Testament and sacred Ikon. The Duke of York, throughout the long ritual, stood behind the King, holding various symbols. After an exchange of rings, (lie couple moved to the altar, where the Patriarch joined their hands and placed marriage crowns on the heads of tho bride and bridegroom, the choir meanwhile singing nuptial chants. The bride was gowned in silver tissue and wore (lie traditional Roumanian, nuptial gold head-dress. The couple met with an enthusiastic reception from the people in the streets, including peasants in sheepskins and homespun garments, who revelled in ilu> beauty of the bride. The riot of colour presented by the processionists, and the quaint customs. There were further Slav ceremonies at the Castle, where Queen Marie stepped over a strip of white cloth, representing a moat, and symbolising the passage from tho old to the new life. Queen Marie scattered grain over the courtyard and reentered the Palace with a loaf of bread and a buttle of wine as a sign of bringing joy to her husband’s bouse. Waiting for her in the nail was a peasant child, whom the now queen lifted and kissed. The police on Tuesday arrested 50 (‘otnmunisls, some of whom were in possession of bombs. —A. and N.Z. cable.