THE DUKE’S WEDDING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 157, 4 June 1937, Page 7

THE DUKE’S WEDDING

SIMPLE CIVIL CEREMONY. f RELIGIOUS CLEBRATION. RECEPTION LATER HELD. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received June 4, 10.35 a.m. LONDON, June 3. The Duke of Windsor and Miss Wallis Warfield were married at the Chateau de Cande, Tours, at 11.47 a.m. The religious ceremany was carried out before an altar, decorated with syringia and clematis, improvised from an old oak chest, which was selected lor the purpose because it was of suitable height. It was covered by a white altar cloth and surmounted by a gold cross. The civil ceremony extended from 11.30 a.m. to 11.55 a.m., and the religious one from noon to 12.20 p.m. After the religious ceremony the guests gathered in the salon and drank the toast of the bride and bridegroom, who left the chateau by car at about 6 p.m. for Loches, where they were to board a train.

At the ceremony Miss Warfield wore a long-skirted cocktail dress of “Wallis blue,” a shade between pastel and hyacinth blue, matching her eyes, with sets to tone in a trousseau of SO dresses and 40 hats.

Her dress had a high draped neckline and was worn with a fitted longsleeved jacket of the same shade with wrist-length gloves of the same blue crepe and high-heeled openwork sandals of a similar shade.

The hat was a tiny skull cap of “Wallis blue” straw with a turnedback halo brim of blue tulle, the base of which was a bandeau of blue and pale pink ostrich feathers. The Duke wore a morning suit with winged collar and a white buttonhole. The decorations were beautiful but simple, in compliance with Miss Warfield’s wishes. Peonies, which are at their best at this time of the year, predominated.

The Mayor (Dr Merceir) upon arrival at the chateau was conducted to the salon and took his place at a table opposite two armchairs in which sat the bride and bridegroom. Captain Metcalfe (the Duke’s equerry) sat at the Duke’s left and Mr and Mrs Herman Rogers sat beside Miss Warfield. The guests were seated in rows behind the couple. The ceremony, which was very simple, 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 and the wife obey the husband and she must live with him and follow him wherever he deems fit. The husband must maintain the wife in accordance with their status.

Dr Mercier then declared: “By

one of the chances of destiny the most moving idyll of all times

takes place under the blue* skies- of France, amidst the flowers and trees of the Chateau de Cande. 1 salute you Royal Highness as a former Sovereign of a most friendly nation. I greet in the name of France a Prince, and her whom His Royal Highness has chosen from the noble country attached to us. By the same precious bonds I present you the most sincere wishes for your happiness.” '

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 Miss Wallis Warfield as his wife. The Duke replied-in firm, clear tones: “Oui, Monsieur Le Maire.” AN UNSTEADY 'VOICE.

Dr Mercier repeated the question to Miss 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 eleven persons witnessed the civil ceremony—Mrs Merriman (Miss Warfield’s aunt). Captain Metcalfe, Mr am} Mrs Herman Rogers, the Prefect of Tours, the Commissioner of Police, and five journalists. Most of the other guests waited in the library, which was transformed into a floral bower with scores of bouquets, baskets and several American flags, but nowhere in the decorations were there 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 tears were in the Duke of Windsor’s eyes, though lie made the resjionses clearly and firmly. Once or twice the bride placed an encouraging hand on his arm. The Duke did not lass the bride either at the civil or religious ceremonies. CHURCH OF ENGLAND RITES.

The religious ceremony was conducted in according with the lull 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 while Rev. Anderson Jardine, wearing a surplice and a purple stole, began the service. The Duke was inclined to fidget and his voice was high-pitched when he replied: “I will.” Miss Warfield’s response wo- soft. The Duke was deeply moved when he repeated the words: “With this ring I thee wed,” and his hand trembled as ho placed the wedding ring on the bride’s finger. The wedded pair knelt on white satin cushions during the. Lord’s •Prayer and the Blessing, after which, to the strains of the Wedding March, the bride, holding her husband’s arm and followed by the guests, left the room. RECEPTION HELD. At the conclusion of the religious ceremony a bouquet from the French Premier (M. Leon Blum) was presented to the Duke and Duchess, who returned to the salon to receive the congratulations of their guests. At the reception held in the salon, Captain Metcalfe proposed the toast of the bride and bridegroom. The Duke laughingly replied: “We both thank you feelingly for your kind and friendly attendance on an occasion so important for us.” The Duke aifd 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 her guests some addressed her as “Wallis” and others as‘Your Grace” and “Duchess.” The wedding breakfast lasted about an hour. The table was decorated with pink carnations on either side of a threefoot, eight-tiered wedding cake. The Duke was in an extremely happy 1 mood throughout the breakfast.

WEDDING CAKE CUT. 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 at 6.03 p.m.