A Princess of France

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 241, 31 December 1927, Page 20

A Princess of France

Spectacular Royal Wedding

HEPRESENTATIVES of practically every reigning family in Europe assembled at Naples for the wedding of the Duke of Apulia and Princess Anne of France, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Guise. The Crown Prince of Italy, the bridegroom’s cousin, was best mao, and Princess Giovanna of Italy a bridesmaid. Four Kings were expected to be present—the King of Italy,- King Alfonso, King Boris and ex-King George of Greece. The Royal guests were housed in the Palace of Capodimente. After the civil ceremony the religious marriage was performed in the Church of St. Francis and St. Paul, the volive basilica erected by King Ferdinand of Bourbon in XSld when he regained his throne. For the first time in history the Royal coat of arms of the House of Savoy decorated the facade of the church, which was brilliantly illuminh ated. Ik The night before the marriage cereH mony, a grand ball was held at the Royal Palace, attended by 1,500 guests. ■ The civil ceremony began in the ggfl Royal Palace at 11 o'clock.

All the ladies present were in the fashion of the Spanish Court, with long, flowing gowns and brightly-col-oured silk shawls. Their hair was dressed in the fashion of the ladies of Seville, with a high ornamented comb at the back of the head. This type of costume was recently approved at a congress of Italian bishops. The use of the Royal Palace at Naples for the celebration of the wedding and also for the banquet and ball shows Signor Mussolini’s desire to lend his assistance toward ensuring the success of Royal functions. The Royal Palace was some time ago turned into a museum, but, on the orders of Mussolini, it has received back, temporarily, its former glories. The rooms have been redecorated and the banqueting hall in yellow and gold is one of the largest in the world. At the religious service the bride was conducted to the high-altar by her father, the Duke of Guise.

Only those holding special invitations were allowed inside the church, but large crowds assembled along the route from the Royal Palace to the church, a distance of 300 yards, the whole of which was carpeted. The carriage used by the Cardinal was overlaid with gold and had a beautifully carved crown on top. It is

THE SHADOW. [Written for Tho Snn.J If you were real; if still your eyes Held their lost light of knightly dreams ; If still the laugh of little streams Spoke with your voice—then I could say, "She seeks her own child's paradise Along a masquerader's way, Where glittering on dark-boughed trees The lanterns shine like golden fruits Of dragon-girt Hesperides." To a whispering of flutes I should see you dancing there, Lamplight like a jewelled bird Caught and nesting in your hair; I should turn, without a wordy To the comfort of the night, To a blue-dusked darkened room — Leaning on the window-bars, Watch the solemn spacious stars. They would drown your hrefly light. Dreams no more should come to me To touch my eyes, to stir my heart With wayward lips. Your way would be A foolish thing that strayed apart. But they are quiet now, your feet, All your swift hair's wandering flame, All the restlessness and beat Of that wild heart I could not tame. Now your shadow quietly Leans against the window-bars. Hides the solemn spacious stars , Dances in the dusk for me; And through the amber twilight glows The soft mouth of a fallen rose. A dancing shadow evermore Mocks closed heart and close-barred door. ROBIN HYDE W ellington. a replica of that used by Pope Pius IX. Over a thousand invitations were issued for the luncheon at the Royal Palace, and a second wonderful banquet took place at 8 o’clock in the evening, followed by a gala entertainment at the San Carlo Theatre, which lasted till midnight. All the evening coloured l’ghts were ablaze along the sea front. Princess Anne’s wedding gown was of white satin, ornamented simply by a bunch of orange blossom at the waist.

The hem was uneven, reaching practically to the ground on one side, but ending a little above the knee on the other. The train bore the arms of the Houses of Orleans and Savoy. The Prince qualified as an air pilot a short time ago, and has travelled extensively by air. He is also an enthusiastic mountaineer.