WEDDING AT WINDSOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23272, 15 February 1939, Page 6

WEDDING AT WINDSOR

BRIDE'S PRIVILEGE ROYAL GOD-DAUGHTER FAMILY HEIRLOOM VEIL WORN [ntOM OUIt OWN CORIIESrONDENT] LONDON. Jan. !20 Many of the 1300 guests expected in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, for the wedding yesterday of Lord W lgram's only daughter, the Hon. Annie Wigram, to .Mr. John Leslie Harvey, were kept away by the snow. At one time it even appeared possible that the ceremony would be postponed. A con ferenco was 1 held, in which castle officials took part, before it was decided to carry on. Snow was lying in drifts to a depth of over two feet, and Lord Wigram sent an appeal to the local labour exchange for all available men. Intty ot Windsor's unemployed worked for hours to clear the paths in the castle grounds. The castle snow plough, which has not been used since Queen \ ictoria's reign, was brought into service. Scores of cars became stuck on 1 harries Street hill, and on the hill leading into the castle itself, when the guests were arriving. Traffic was hold up lor more than a mile in both directions. Hundreds of the guests had to leave their cars in the street and walk thiough the snow. Many had their shoes and dresses ruined. A number of motorcoaches and cars, sent to the station to meet guests, were also stranded.

Bride's Medieval Gown I ' Miss Wigram was the first bride to be married in Windsor Castle for more than 25 years. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Cosmo Lang, performed the ceremony, assisted bv the Dean ol Windsor, Dr. A. V. Baillie. Lord Wigram, who is Deputy Constable and Lieutenant Governor of the castle, gave his daughter away. The bridegroom is the elder son of the late Colonel John Harvey and Mrs. Harvey, of Ringstead, 'Bury, Norfolk. The bride was accorded a J J oval privilege. She and her father entered the chapel by the west door, normally used only by Royalty on State occasions. Their home is in the Norman Tower. The bride wore a medieval gown of gold and parchment lame and two veils. One of the veils is a heirloom which has been in the family since the days of the Battle of Waterloo, when an ancestor. Major Hay, of Dunn's Castle, brought it from Brussels for his bride. The 10 bridesmaids more medieval gowns of parchment velvet and veils from coronets on their heads, 'llie whole retinue walked the complete length of the church from the west door to the altar. Five-loot Wedding Cake

After the ceremony the bride and bridegroom received their guests in the State apartments specially lent by the King and Queen. The wedding cake was five feet high, nearly as tall as the bride, and weighed more than 901b. It was made in three tiers and decorated with the new crest of the young couple and white camellias. In the vast St. George's Hall, where hang the shields of every Knight of the Garter created since the foundation of the order in 1314, the wedding breakfast was laid on a table 80ft. long. In the Waterloo Chamber adjoining plain-clothed detectives were on duty guarding the great array of wedding presents, including gifts from the King and Queen, Queen Mary, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and the Princess Royal and Lord Harewood. State Rooms Used

This was the first time that the State rooms of the castle had been used for any save a Royal Family function, a mark of special esteem from the King to Lord Wigram, who for many years was his father's private secretary and close friend. A diamond brooch was received from the King and Queen; Queen Mary sent her god-daughter a dressing case and amethyst and diamond brooch; an antique mahogany table was chosen by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; a dessert service by the Duke of Kent, and an inlaid table by the Princess Royal and Karl of Harewood.