A MATCH WITH ROYALTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13905, 12 November 1908, Page 5

A MATCH WITH ROYALTY.

MISS ELKINS A PRINCESS. By Telegraph.— Association.— New York, November 10. Senator Elkins having refused to sanction a morganatic marriage between his daughter and the Duke of the Abruzzi, cousin of the King of Italy, King Victor has consented to accord Miss Elkins.the position of a .Royal Princess. "

The Duke of the Abruzzi is a celebrated explorer iu Arctic and tropical regions. In the matter of selecting a. wife he has shown that originality and independence which induced him to undertake hi a famous oxpeditions, which #necessarily rt included hardships fcuch as few princes'vvouid voluntarily undergo'. The matter lifts been the eubject of many family councils of the Italian Royal family, and at all the Duke refused to forego his intended bride. One objection, was that Miss Elkins was not. a lioinau Catholic, but perhaps a greater was that she is not of iloval birth. On* this poiyt the Giornalo d'ltalia says:—-"'The Italian civil code does not recognise' a morganatic marriage. Consequently should! Miss Elkins marry the Duke of the Abruzzi she would bo Duchess of the Abruzzi and a Royal Princess." The Duke of the Abnuzi is *a' moderately rich man. He lias a third share in an estate worth £1,200,000, the family property consisting of vast estates in .Tuscany and Piedmont, and other lands in Belgium and Holland. The Duke first met Miss Elkins in the : spring of last year at the Italian Embassy at Washington. He had gone to America in command of Italian warships sent to take part in the festivities of Jamestown. It was evident that she made a groat impression on him.