Duke of Windsor's Marriage

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 132, 5 June 1937, Page 5

Duke of Windsor's Marriage

Only Eleven Witnesses Attend

Tears in Ex-King's Eyes at Ceremony

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

LONDON, June 3. The Mayor of Monts, Dr. Merrier, upon his 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. Major Metcalfe sat on the Duke’s left, while Mr. Herman Rogers sat beside Miss Warfield. The other guests were seated in rows behind the couple. The ceremony, which was very simple, was finished in twelve 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, the wife must obey her husband and she must live with him and follow him wherever he deems fit. The husband must maintain his wife in accordance with his status.

Mr Herman Rogers issued a statement from the Duke: 41 The Duchess and I wish to thank all those who so kindly sent us presents and good wishes on the occasion of our marriage. We shall never forget the friendly messages which mean so much to us on this day. After tho trying time we have been through, we now look forward to a happy useful life and that measure of peace winch wo hope will he granted to us."

Dr. Merrier 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 your Royal Highness as the 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 with my most sincere wishes for your happiness.” The Mayor, addressing the Duke, 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.” 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 wo declare you united in the bonds of matrimony.”

Only eleven witnessed the civil ceremony. Mrs. Merriman, Major Metcalfe, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Rogers, the Prefect of Tours, the Commissioner of Police, and five journalists. Most of the other guests waited in the library, which had been transformed into a floral bower with scores of bouquets and baskets. There were several American flags, but nowhere in the decorations were any British flags. The famous French organist, M. Mercel Dupre, played the wedding inarch while the wedded couple proceeded to the music room for the religious ceremony, during which there were tears in the Duke of Windsor’s eyes. Though ho made his responses clearly and firmly, once or twice the bride placed an encouraging hand on his arm. The Dube did not kiss the bride in cither tho civil or religious

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. The religious ceremony was conducted according to the full rites of the Church of England, including the bride’s promise to obey. Brilliant ear-rings, set with eight flashing sapphires, and q diamond bracelet with dangling crosses, adorned the bride who stood at the altar beside the bridegroom, while the Rev. Mr Jardine, wearing a surplice of purple stole, began the service. [ The Duke was inclined to fidget. His [voice was high-pitched when he replied j“I will.” Miss Warfield’s responses were soft.

The Duke was deeply moved when he repeated the words: “With this ring I thee wed” and his hand trembled as he placed the wedding ring on Ills bride’s finger. The wedded pair knelt on white satin cushions during the Lord’s Prayer and Blessing, after which, to tho strains of the wedding march, the bride, holding her husband's arm, and followed hy the guests, left the room, At the reception in the salon, Major Metcalfe proposed the toast of the bride and bridegroom. The Duke of Windsor laughingly replied: “We both thank you feelingly for your kind and friendly attendance on an occasion so important for ns.” The Duke and Duchess then greeted every guest. The Duchess was happy, but reserved and thoroughly composed. The Duke and Duchess then posed for photographers in the front of the

While the bride was talking to her guests, somo addressed her as "Wallis" and others ae "Your Grace" and "Duchess." The wedding breakfast lasted about an hour. The table was decorated with pink carnations on either side of the three-foot high eight-tiered wedding cake. The Duke was in an extremely happy mood th rough oat the breakfast. Soon after tho wedding, the Duke and Duchess received representatives ol : the world’s Press. The Duke said: "Wo are both extremely happy and both of' us are delighted to receive you here. I am sorry that the size of the Chateau has not permitted us to invite all the people we would very much like to have seen hero to-day." Both smiled and looked as happy as they said they were*

Mr Rogers later* issued another communique: "The l>uke and Duchess of Windsor wish to take this opportunity of expressing to journalists their appreciation of the courtesy which has been for the most part shown them everywhere in these unprecedented circumstances. They would like it recorded that, although inaccurate statements and reports seem to have been unavoidable during these months, which have been so trying to all concerned, there has been evident a willingness to contradict them. As regards the future, the Duke realises that any atmosphere of secrecy is unsatisfactory and he will always bo prepared to supply any news of importance concerning the Duchess and himself. "The Duke and Duchess at the same time, while fully understanding the difficulties, want on this day to appeal to the Press of the world to give them that measure of consideration and privacy which they feel is now their due." Tho Duke and Duchess of Windsor left the chateau by car at 6 o’clock. Waving acknowledgement to farewell cheers, they drove off, nscorted by a police car and four motor-cyclists. For three miles from Monts the road was lined on both sit! 03 with mobile guards, spaced fifteen yards apart. The bridal car, followed by a luggage van, proceeds to Laroche Migennes, a small wayside station, where the Duke and Duchess expected to board the express shortly before midnight, en route for Wasserleonburg for the honeymoon. Dr. Mercier reveals that the marriage record, which will be kept in the official archives at Mcnts, was signed by the bride and bridegroom in French, "Edward, Due de Windsor; Wallis, Duchess de Windsor."

HONEYMOON BOUND Received Friday, 7 p.m. PARIS, June 4. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor boarded the Simplon Express at La Rochemijelie at 12.15 a.m. and travelled in a special coach, guarded by seven detectives. A Klagenfurt message says that since early yesterday morning, the steep winding road which is tho only access to Castlo Wasserleonburg, has been strictly guarded by gendarmes, and no strangers permitted to invade the privacy of this mediaeval fortress, | which stands high on a thickly-wooded hill. “THIS PRETENDED SOLEMNISAi TION." CHURCH TIMES IN CRITICAL MOOD. Received Friday, 7 p.m. LONDON, June 4. , Rev. Mr Jardine is expected at Darlington on Juno 5. j According to tho Daily Mail, the general opinion of local church officials and parishioners is that it was Mr Jardine's personal affair and did not affect his work in the parish, and there 1 is no reason to protest. I Referring to Mr Jardine's "irresponsible action," the Church. Times, jthe recognised organ of Anglo-Catholic opinion, in af leader, says: "There is no process in law whereby a clergyman wandering abroad may be prevented from saying prayers in a private house, and that is all this pretended solemnisation amounted to." Tho Mail’s Tours correspondent says one of the Duke’s last acts before quitting the chateau was to sign his | will. He also had a lengthy converse - ' tion with Buckingham Palace. COMMENTS ON DUKE. BOOK TO BE ADMITTED. (Special to “ Times"). WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Acting-Minister of Customs (tho Hon. Mark Fagan) stated to-day that he had had numerous inquiries from I booksellers as to whether the American edition of the book, "Coronation Commentary," by Geoffrey Dennis, which ■ has been banned in England, could be admitted to this country. I Mr Fagan said that he could see nothing in the book which would war*

rant its exclusion from circulation and sale in New Zealand, and therefore he has decided to allow the edition to be imported. ANGLICAN ATTITUDE REMARRIAGES IN CHURCH LONDON, June 3. In connection with the Rev. Mr. Jardine 's action, it is pointed out that the attitude of the Church of England to the remarriage in the churches of innocent parties in divorce cases was stated by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1935, when he said 4 4 marriage wafc a lifelong bond." He thought they were right in saying that marriages of persons who had spouses living should not take place in the churches. The Bishop of Fulham, in a further statement, said that Mr. Jardine had no ecclesiastical standing in France and no authority to act on behalf of the Anglican Church. 4 4 Having registered our protests," he added, "there the matter rests." INTEREST IN INDIA PROCESSIONS AND PRAYERS CALCUTTA, Juno 3. Extraordinary interest in the Duke of Windsor's wedding was displayed throughout India. Processions paraded the streets and people offered prayers for long life to the Duke and Duchess. AMERICAN PRESS GREAT PROMINENCE TO WEDDING NEW YORK, June 3. The wedding of tho Duke of Windsor is given the greatest prominence in the Press. Many newspapers have threeand four-page accounts, but comment is restrained. ARRIVAL AT LAUSANNE Received Saturday, 12.30 a.m. LONDON, June 4. The Paris correspondent of the British Unitod Press says that when the Duke and Duchess of Windsor arrived at la Rochemijelie at 12.6 a.m., they walked the entire length of the platform to a special coach in the forepart of the train, the Duke carrying some hand luggage. Beside him frisked three terriers. The Duke and Duchess of Windsors' rose-carpeted compartment in the centre of the coach contained a doable bed, with private bathrooms adjoining. The other compartments were occupied by seven detectives. The Duke and Duchess arrived at Lausanne at 6.25 a.m., where they were awakened by the jingle of cow bells from a cattle train in a nearby aiding.