THE QUEEN OF SPAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13486, 13 May 1907, Page 5

THE QUEEN OF SPAIN.

BIRTH OF A PRINCE.

GREAT REJOICINGS IN SPAIN,

By Telegraph.—l'rcss Association.—Copyright,

Madrid, May 10. It is officially announced that Queen "Victoria (Ena) of Spain has given birth to a son.

(Kcceived ay 12. 4.-o p.m.)

Madrid, May 11.

King Alfonso's first message announcing the birth of a son was sent to King Edward. Salutes were fired at Gibraltar and other stations.

There arc tremendous all over Spain.

rejoicings

Dr. Brvden Glendinning, a New Zen-lander, assisted at the accouchement.

NATAL CEREMONIES AT THE

SPANISH COURT.

A Spanish prince or princess {says Mary Spencer Warren in tho London Express) is ushered into tho world with quaint. observance and stately : ceremony. Tho abolition of the Salic Law iu 1830 ensures the future* succession of a princess to tho throne should tho reigning Sovereigns have no son horn to them. But it goes without saying: that tho Spaniards would far rather owe their allegiance to a king than to a queen, ami so, when the birth of an infant in direct succession is imminent a boy is ardently desired by all classes. When tho coining: of tho future king or queen is expected olothos and nurses—as in other households—are subjects of paramount importance. In tho present instance tho young Queen of Spain hats had presents from all directions, tins ladies of her adopted country especially having forwarded numerous robes richly trimmed with costly luce. Her Majesty's own nurse is an Englishwoman; but the nurse for tho royal baby has been chosen, in accordance with tho Spanish custom, from the peasantry of tho Asturias.

This province is noted for its hiintbomo women, a, number of whom are always summoned to tho palace at Madrid prior, to an expected birth. From those women one is finally selected, and the rejected ones, to compensate them for their disapjxjintmont, aro sent homo literally loaded with presents as well as with it sum of money, and.their entire expenses to and fro aro alto defrayed. Quite naturally' this oflieo is thought most highly of, and whoever is selected is a. perRon to bo envied, for she occupies an extremely prominent position 'throughout tho first year or so of tho baby's life, and when her duties aro ended she receives a monthly, pension and is in fact a rich woman for" one of her class. Her official dress consists of black velvet and lace, ami silver chains of ofliw. When tho birth of tho little prince or princess is imminent, . certain high dignitaries are, .in accordance with precedent, summoned to tho palace, these ; consisting of representatives of tho Church, tho army End navy, tho Koval Household, tho I'rimo Minister, and deputations from tho Cortes, iho Mistress of tho Robes must, also bo present, as sho has a special duty to perform. The so officials all assemble in ail apartment adjoining: that of tho Queon, wnile tho tidings of tho expected event naturally gets known throughout tho city, and the inhabitants with one - accord are wont to assemble in tho H'hmi del Oricnto and vicinity. From hero they can watch, for tho appearance of tho additional Royal Standardwith' its broad and yellow;-folds showing the Lions of Aragon and tho Castles of Castilewhich it is customary to. run up when tho birth of tho infant is announced. In- the room before-mentioned tho distinguished personages await in anxious expectation tho appoaranco in their midst of the Mistress of tho Robes, whoso coming will announce tho Royal birth. 'As in, England, the lady who holds this position , is always a duohess, and her presence on this occasion is one of tho duties of, her office, while the momentous message with which sho is charged by the Royal physician is delivered to the Prime Minister, who in his turn makes tho announcement to all assembled.

Before many minutes have elapsed, tho grandees and officials have ocular demonstration of tho birth of the Royal infant, for the child is brought into thoir presence carefully laid upon a richly carved silver salver, which salver lias been first of all artistically covered with a costly cushion, trimmed with deep flounces of exquisite lace. Then, •in accordance with precedent, tho salver, with its precious burden, is entrusted to the arms of tho Prime Minister, to bo by him formally presented to all present, who greet the infant with profound bows and subdued vivats. . The Premier it is who also makes tho necessary announcement to Parliament' on the same or following day, in accordance with the hour of birth. -

The strains of the " Marcha Ileal"which hails from the time of Carlos V.—is heard in different parts of tho city. Guns aro fired from the fortresses and depots, and To Deums are sung in the churches. f