QUEEN WILHELMINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11544, 1 December 1900, Page 1 (Supplement)

QUEEN WILHELMINA.

THE STORY OF HER BETROTHAL. The Hague, October 20.—Queen Wilbelmina and her betrothed, Duke Henri of Mecklenburg - Schwerin, accompanied by the Queen's mother, arrived here this morning, and were enthusiastically welcomed. The future consort of the Queen -was presented to the authorities assembled at the railroad station. The Royal party then drove to the Palace, where crowds sang the national anthem. Later the members of the diplomatic corps arrived at the Palace, and were introduced to the duke. Throughout Holland public rejoicing continues over the betrothal of Queen Wilhelmina.' Because the young Sovereign is attractive in looks and is not snobbish in her dignity, she is idolised alike by the oldest parliamentarian in her capital and the humblest villager in her kingdom. Ever since the first official announcement was made on Tuesday night, and upon Duke Heinrich of Mecklenburg's arrival at The Hague, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and all the other cities, though unprepared, were spontaneously and gloriously illuminated as if by magic by the Dutch people. The enthusiasm has been manifesting itself by flagflying, fireworks, and general merrymaking. In many of the villages the whole population has gathered daily to sing hymns and offer prayer publicly for the happiness of the Royal young couple. It is a remarkable fact that few of the inhabitants of the Netherlands, even among the enlightened classes, seem to know anything about Wilhelmina's love-chosen fiance.

But they know all about their beloved gni Queen, having successfully resisted all outside pressure and even intimidation, having foiled the combined efforts of all the European Courts, having snapped her fingers at all timorous advice and diplomatic precedents, now marries in happiness, having kept her word not to permit any trading of her womanhood, because the Queen would never give her hand without her heart. The details of the Royal courting are gradually becoming known. Duke Henri, who is an officer of the Prussian Guards, stationed at Potsdam, was first presented to Wilhelmina when she visited the German Kaiser there last year. The duke had little opportunity of speaking to the young Queen that day, being a comparatively small personage in the brilliant assemblage, but the next morning a slight accident happened to the Queen's carriage. Duke Henri, being close by, helped Wilhelmina and her mother out, taking them back to the castle * afoot. Both were deeply impressed by the short conversation on the way. The same afternon the young duke deeply scrached his hand against an iron railing, the blood flowing freely. Immediately Wilhelmina. who was standing a few paces away talking to the Kaiser, left the German ruler, and, impulsively rushing up to Henri, wrapped a lace handkerchief "around his bleeding hand. As she did this the look of anxiety, the duke's own paleness, and the displeasure of the Kaiser, were noticeable to everybody. After that, Emperor William, whose most cherished ambition was to place his second son upon the throne of Holland, so arranged it that the duke had little chance to display his manly, brilliantly-uniformed person to the young Queen. But it is said that they had read each other's thoughts, and the brave lieutenant managed to approach her privately in the park at Berlin some days I afterwards, and boldly and tremblingly i avowed his love.

From her mother, to whom the Queen described the scene, it was learned that Wilhelmina simply answered, smiling roguishly: " But the Kaiser wants me tc accept Prince Frederick of Prussia's love. What of him? He loves me also." Duke Henri, too loyal to plead his cause against his Prince, looked his profound despair, but silently bowed to withdraw. Whereupon the young Queen gave him her hand, saying: "I desire to know thee better."

That ended the conversation. But shortly afterward the Queen and the Queen mother paid a visit at Schwarzburg Rudolstadt to tho mother of Duke Henri. There the young lovers found ample liberty to get acquainted. Since that time there has been a constant exchange of letters, the duke only coming to Holland twice incognito,' Upon the second visit, four months ago, their troth was solemnly pledged in the Queen mother's presence. Wilhelmina's unsuspecting Ministers were only notified then, and it was agreed that the' betrothal should be kept the profoundest secret until diplomacy smoothed the way for the announcement, which was bound to create consternation in many quarters, and especially send the Kaiser into a violent rage. When the German Emperor learned of the engagement, which was represented to him as a mere project submitted for his approval, the Kaiser despatched a special envoy to Holland, with a long autograph letter, calling the attention of the Queen to the impression that would be created when it was known that she had rejected the son of an Emperor for an insignificant duke. He also appealed to the Queen's pride, saying a Mecklenburg-Schweriner, no matter how eligible personally, was not sufficiently exalted in rank to perpetuate the glorious Orange-Nassau line. Everything was useless, for Wilhelmina proved steadfast. A pretty scene, yet one full of grandeur, was-jgnacted wh«n the Royal sweethearts exchanged their first kiss on* Tuesday night, in the presence of the whole brilliantlydressed Court, uniformed diplomatists military guards of honour, in the Castle Het Loo at Appeldoorn, where the Queen and Queen mother arrived that morning, and .the duke the same evening. Heralds with trumpets announced his arrival in the court of honour outside.

The dlnke mounted the stairs, and was conducted immediately to the large hall, where the Court and Ministers awaited him. ranged in semi-circle, with the Queen and Queen mother standing in front of their thrones.

Duke Henri came eagerly forward, knelt on one knee before the Queen's mother, and kissed her hand. Then he rose, facing his pretty Royal fiancee, who gave him her hand with a sweet smile and a look of love in her eyes. The duke drew that hand gently toward him, placed his other back of the girl's head, and impressed the first kiss authorised by etiquette upon the virgin lips of Holland's Queen. Wilhelmina closed her eyes under this caress, and, suddenly forgetting all about her queenly bearing, let her head drop against her sweetheart's bosom, hiding her blushes against Lis uniform, and looking much as any other pretty bride. Prince Henri d'Orleans, one of the many discarded suitors, yesterday telegraphed his congratulations, which, though the contents we unknown, made Wilhelmina laugh heartily. ° President Loubet was among the first to send his good wishes. His long telegram was touchmgly paternal, ending: "Yet it .is almost with regret I receive the news J here was something so sweetly poetical about a girl queen. It is as though a daughter had left us to get married. " But you will ever remain the fair beloved ward of all the civilised nations."