LONDON WEDDING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20536, 30 September 1936, Page 12

LONDON WEDDING

FASHIONABLE GUESTS Bright sunshine and thousands of spectators greeted the fashionable guests who arrived at Westminster Abbey for the wedding day of Lady Mary Hope to Lord Herbert. Lady Mary Hope is lady-in-waiting to the Duchess of Kent, while Lord Herbert is the Duke of Kent’s equerry. The Duke of Kent, who was best man, arrived driving his own car and looked as if he was thoroughly enjoying himself. He was accompanied by the Duke of Gloucester and the bridegroom. It is unusual for a Duke of the Royal household to act as best man, though the Duke of Kent is actually following the precedent of the Duke of Gloucester, who last year acted as best man for his own equerry. 1 The next car brought the Duchess of Kent, perfectly gowned in amethyst chiffon. Her skirt was very long and rather narrow, made after the style of a sarong. Her coat of the same material had three-quarter length sleeves and she wore a corsage bouquet of violets A small swathed toque, several shades deeper than her gown, had a diamond and amethyst brooch as ornament, and was worn at a most becoming angle over the right eye. She was accompanied by the Duchess of Gloucester, who looked exquisite in silver chiffon. Her frock had a shoulder cape bordered with feather trimming, and pleated frills cascading down the front of her frock into a pleated hemline. Her wide-brimmed hat of matching grey was wreathed with uncurled ostrich feathers. The crowds cheered them heartily as they entered.

As Big Ben boomed 12, the bride arrived punctual to the minute. Tali and dark, she wore a graceful gown of white satin, with a high draped neckline and long sleeves falling over the hands in points. A folded sash of satin girdled the waist. Her court train was unusually long, eight yards in fact—it had to be adjusted carefully when she descended from the car—and was bordered with a corded hemline. The bridal veil was of tulle, and was held in position by a headdress of pearls. As Lady Mary stepped out of her car, one of the ushers presented her with a bouquet of madonna lilies. The grown-up bridesmaids were picturesquely dressed in cream shadow lace with crystal pleated skirts, red velvet sashes and wreaths of red flowers on their hair. Then came three wee girl bridesmaids in cream chiffon with adorable poke bonnets and little red shoes peeping out from beneath the hems of their dresses. They carried tiny red posies. The three smal page boys, who won all b arts, were dressed i> white satin suits, complete with red sashes and shoes.