WEDDING PLANS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 104, 4 May 1937, Page 7

WEDDING PLANS

THE DUKE OF WINDSOR STORY OF PRETTY FRENCH GIRL [By Tdecraph—Press Association —Copyright) Received May 3, 8.32 p.m. LONDON, May 2. The Daily Mail’s Tours correspondent says that a story of the Duke or Windsor kissing a pretty French girl on the Somme battlefield lies behind the plans for his marriage. The Mayor of Monts, the nearest town to the Chateau de Cande, is Dr. Charles Mercier, whose wife recalls that when King George visited the Somme front in wartime, the British headquarters were situated in the village in which she resided. Her father frequently entertained the officers and she was chosen to present a bouquet to King George, who thanked her and asked the Prince of Wales also to express thanks. The Prince shook het hand and kissed her on the cheek. Now Dr. Mercier, as chief magistrate, will marry the Duke of Windsor and Mrs Simpson. Dr. Mercier confirms the statement that the date has not been fixed but he has been asked to visit the Chateau shortly and discuss the arrangements with Mrs Simpson and the Duke of Windsor.

Madame Mercier says: "I am sure the Duke has not forgotten the Somme incident. I should love to attend the wedding.” Mrs Simpson has been golfing, and looks sunburnt. The Duke of Windsor is expected to be met at a secret rendezvous near Paris with a car from the chateau, in which Mrs Simpson may travel to greet him. Picturesque Farewell A St. Wolfgang message says that the villagers crowded 50 illuminated boats and picturesquely farewf lied the Duke of Windsor. Singers, dancers, and a brass band assembled on a platform supported by two barges and proceeded to the villa after dusk, leading the procession of watercraft. The Duke of Windsor stood on a balcony for two hours listening to the fobs songs and watching the clogged performers demonstrate national dances. At the conclusion he received the burgomaster, who expressed the village’s sense of honour over the Duke’s visit. The simple pageant was not marred by Nazis, who seized the opportunity to set on fire a giant wooden swastika on a hillside.

MADE ABSOLUTE MRS SIMPSON’S DIVORCE Received May 3, 11.42 p.m. LONDON, May 3. Mrs Simpson’s divorce has been made absolute. Within a few moments of the decision tne Duke ot Windsor and Mrs Simpson were informed by telephone. It is now reported that the Duke is leaving St. Wolfgang this afternoon, a day before expected, entraining at Salzburg for France. The Duke of Kent is expected to represent the Royal Family at the wedding. The first part of the honymoon will be held at Vila Leroc, Lord Cholmondeley’s estate at Cannes.

SWIFT PROCEDURE UNTYING THE MARRIAGE KNOTS. Received May 4, 1.30 a.m. LONDON, May 3. Fifty seconds and less than a hundred words spoken by Sir Boyd Merriman, president, and the clerk of tne Court, sufficed to make absolute 86 decrees nisi, including Mrs. Simpson’s, which numbered 56. Although it was merely a formal procedure hundreds queued at ths Divorce Couri entrance and the president's Court was crowded when Sir Boyd Merriman took his seat on the Bench beneath the rope and anchor, which is the symbolic sign of probate divorce in the Admirality Division. Immediately the clerk rose. Reading from an official list he said: "Applications to make absolute decrees nisi in causes numbers one to seventy-eight from the principal registries.” Sir Boyd Merriman asked: "Does anyone appear to show cause why the decrees should not be made absolute?” There was five seconds pause wherein there was silence. Then Sir Boyd Merriman said: 'T then pronounce a decree nisi as made absolute.” A similar procedure followed in the remaining decrees from the district registries, and the crowd evaporated.