A FUTURE QUEEN

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12602, 12 November 1926, Page 5

A FUTURE QUEEN

PRINCESS ASTRID MARRIED MASSES CHEER THE PRQCESSIOIN BRUSSELS EN FETE Bv Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. BRUSSELS, November 10. The city was brilliantly en fete, and there were dense crowds for Princess Astrid’s second, or religions oeremonial marriage at the Cathedral of St. Gudule. A double line of troops and sailors lined the route from the palace to the Cathedral. The procession included £OOO prominent personages of all spheres. Prince Henry represented the British Royal Family. The wedding carriage wended its way amid the cheering of the masses, the pelting of flowers, the pealing of bells, the playing of bands, and cannon thundering a salute. The Archbishop of Malines performed the ceremony, which, owing to Princess Astrid not being a Catholic, was curtailed, the

Mass and Nuptial Benediction being omitted. The wedding breakfast was afterwards served at the palace, BRIDAL GOWN DESCRIBED (Received November 11, 7.55 p.m.) Princess Astrid arrived half an hour late, owing to the crowded streets. Her dress, which was different from that worn by her in Stockholm, was a magnificent gown of white satin brocade, on which were worked fleurs de lys, with a veil of Brussels lace, a garland of myrtle, and a bouquet of orange blossoms. The bride’s train, over ten yards long, was carried by four pages dressed in white satin. The Princess was pale at first, obviously feeling the ordeal, but she left the Cathedral looking radiantly happy. ALWAYS SPEAKS ENGLISH Tlie at the Royal Palace decline to disclose where the honeymoon is being spent, but it is believed the couple are not far from Brussels, and that they will go later to Paris and Marseilles, en route to Cairo. It is stated that the Princess is not yet a fluent speaker of French, and therefore tlie couple always speak English.