A ROYAL ROMANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14525, 12 November 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

A ROYAL ROMANCE.

10 YEARS' OP WAITING.

LOVE STORY OF A PRINCE AND

PRINCESS.

All the world loves a lover, and when the happy ones belong to exalted stations, where it is popularly believed marriages are usually matters of diplomatic arrangement, the interest is intensified. Of recent Royal betrothals few possess Is so conspicuous a degree the element of romance as that of Princess Clementine of Belgium, who will shortly be married to Prince Victor Napoleon, the heir to the Bonaparte dynasty, both of whom arc at present in England on a visit to the exEmpress Eugenie at Farnborongh. Rarely have greater obstacles been placed in the path of a couple passionately devoted to each other. It is now ten years since the Prince and Princess met while driving in the Bois de la Cambre, Brussels. According to all accounts it was a case of love at first sight between the Prince and Princess, and the meeting was quickly followed by a secret engagement. Then the wicked father, in the shape of Leopold 11., appeared on the scene and refused altogether, for what he claimed as political reasons, to entertain any idea of the marriage. Prince Victor has for many years been an exile in Brussels, living comfortably enough on his moderate income of £2000 a year, and discountenancing the foolish little plots into which his adherents have tried to drag him. Owing to the hostility of the Princess's parents, the couple met each other at the house of the Countess of Flanders, mother of the present King of the Belgians, and the Princess, unhappy in her home life, desired earnestly to be married to a man who has considerable strength of character and a simple heart. But the old King Leopold refused his consent to the betrothal. He favoured the Orleans family, he hated the Bonapartes, and it did not suit his policy with the French Republic to have his daughter married to one of the Royalist Pretenders. The Countess of Flanders interceded for them, but Leopold refused to reconsider his decision. The aged Empress Eugenie, with whom Prince Victor has always been a favourite, travelled to Brussels and

TLEADED FOR THE LOVERS, but with no more effect. Princess Clementine fell ill, and Dr. Thiriar, the Court physician, told the old King of the Belgians that the shattered nerves of the Princess and her enduring unhappiness reproached her father. Monsignor Simon, the Court chaplain, was another champion of true love, but Leopold would not give way. In order that there should be no chance of the couple meeting. King Leopold locked Princess Clementine in her apartments in the Royal palace and informed her that she would have to remain under lock and key until she promised to forget the Prince. Love, however, ever laughs at locksmiths, and the couple easily found means to meet each other. They met in private houses of friends and in the drawing-rooms of the Countess Flanders and the present King. But they never appeared together publicly, and both were absentees from Court. A celebrated incident, which caused some sensation a year or two ago, took place at a paper-chase on horsebacK, which was won by Prince Victor. Princess Clementine had been appointed to give away the prize, and when the victor came for his reward and she pinned the ribbon upon his breast she burst into tears, so that all present were profoundly touched. It was, however, only the death of King Leopold that left the coast clear for the two lovers. Upon the death of His Majesty the lovers again appeared at Court, and shortly afterwards it was announced that young King Albert had

GIVES HIS CORDIAL CONSENT to their union. It was at first intended that the wedding should take place at Farnborough, but owing to the ill-health of Princess Clotilde, the bridegroom's mother, this arrangement has been cancelled, and the nuptials will be celebrated at the Castle of Montcalieri, near Turin. An Austrian Archduke and General Louis Bonaparte will act as best men for the bridegroom, and Prince de Ligne will be among those in attendance. The ceremony will be private, but there will be a great gathering of princes, and it is believed that the King of Italy will be present. The Royal lovers, as already indicated, are at present at Farnborough. Accompanied by her equerry, General Daelman, and by her lady-in-waiting Princess Clementine arrived at Charing Cross in the afternoon. By ? combination of unforeseen circumstances the Princess, on her arrival, found to her dismay that there was not a soul present to meet her. Could there have arisen another cruel obstacle to their impending union ? Happily an explanation was forthcoming within the space of a few minutes. It appears that the train entered the station ten minutes before its scheduled time. No intimation had been previously given to the railway authorities of the Royal visitor's coming, and no preparations had been made for her convenience. Thus, on alighting, the Princess found herself in the midst of hustling: passengers and their friends and piles of luggage. A momentary embarrassment ensued, but Her Royal Highness quickly realised her curious position, and directed an inquiry to be made with regard to the non-arrival of Prince Victor. In the meantime the position had been mentioned to Mr. Trowbridge, the senior superintendent, who sought the Princess and offered her the use of his private office until the arrival of the Prince. This offer the Princess gladly accepted- Prince Victor arrived about ten minutes later, and was conducted to the Princess, who accompanied him in a taxicab to Waterloo, whence they travelled to Farnborough.