SPAIN'S FORMER KING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22008, 15 January 1935, Page 9

SPAIN'S FORMER KING

RELATIONS WITH WIFE ♦ DENIAL OF A RUMOUR LONDON. Jan. 13 Official denial has been given to a statement telegraphed by the Paris correspondent of the Referee concerning the relations between ex-King Alfonso of Spain and his wife, ex-Queen Ena. The statement in question was to the effect that it was reported in Spanish Royalist circles that the ex-Queen would not attend the marriage of her daughter, the Infanta Beatrice, to the Italian Prince, Alessandro di Civitella Cesi, in Rome to-morrow. Efforts were being made to induce her to attend the ceremony—in spite of the long-standing bitterness between her and Alfonso. It was reported that Alfonso had settled in Rome because he intended to apply to the Vatican for the annulment of his marriage. " No, no, it is all quite untrue," Alfonso's secretary told a representative of the Daily Mail when he questioned him in the course of a telephone call to Rome about the rumour. Members of the Spanish nobility are flocking to Rome for the wedding. The guests will include 50 princes ,and princesses from all parts of Europe.

The Infanta Beatrice is the eldest daughter of ex-King Alfonso of Spain. Her engagement to Prince Alvaro of Bourbon-Orleans was broken off at the end of October, 1931. The fact that she had become affianced to the Italian Prince Alessandro di Civitella Cesi, was announced on November 7 last.