THE ROYAL WEDDING

Wairarapa Daily Times, 30 November 1934, Page 5

THE ROYAL WEDDING

* AT WESTMINISTER ABBEY

CONCOURSE Of PEOPLE

LAVISH DECORATIONS

ROYAL CAVALCADE.

The first cavalcade left Buckingham Palace at 10.3 G a.m., the King and Queen and Prince Waldemar, of Denmark, being in the first carriage, the Kings and Queens of Norway and Denmark in the escond, Prince George of Greece, Prince Paul of Yugo-Slavia, and Princess Nicholas in the third. All were escorted by a sovereign’s escort of Lifeguards. A 'few minutes later the Duke of IIF Kent, wearing a commander’s uniform, ~ and accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York as liis supporters (Royal custom not permitting a best man) left St. James’ Palace with a captain’s escort of Horse Guards. Finally the bride and her father left Buckingham Palace at 10.46 a.m., escorted by Life Guards. The wedding route between the Palace and Westminster Abbey was a blaze of colour. Flags of all nations, including those of Australia, New Zealand and other * Dominions, hung from the buildings. Fifteen hundred royal guests had assembled at the Abbey, where Dean Foxley Norris received' the King at the west door at 10.50, and led the procession to the nave, accompanied by the Royal guests and officers of the Court, Dr. Bullock, Abbey organist, meanwhile playing Sir Edward Elgar’s “Sonata in G.” Their Majesties took their seats in the Sacrarium. Seated with them were the Kings and Queens of Denmark and Norway, Prince Charles of Belgium, Prince Paul of Yugo-Slavia, the Count and. Countess Toerring (Princess Marina’s other sister and her brother-in-law), Prince Waldemar, Prince George of Greece, ‘ Princess Maria of Greece, the Grand and Grand Duchess Cyril of "f ■' The bridegroom’s procession arrived at 10.56, and was similarly conducted to the Sacrarium, the Prince of Wales being on the bridegroom’s right and the Duke of York on his left, the organ meanwhile placing Purcell’s “Trumpet Tune and Air. ’ ’ While the Royal parties were being ushered to their places in the Sacrarium, the dean, canons. • choir and bridesmaids assembled at the west door to greet the bride and Prince Nicholas. THE BRIDIES ARRIVAL. At the great moment of the bride‘s arrival the choir began to sing “Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost,’’ the music by Sir John Stainer, the hymn which the bridegroom personally selected for singing during the bridal procession from j the west door to the sanctuary. The bridal gown was a dream ot loveliness, and was echoed in the dresses of the bridesmaids, who carried bouquets of small white roses, tied with silver ribbon. The dresses of the older bridesmaids closely followed the lines of Princess Marina’s, but while hers had a mediaeval waistline and the skirt formed a short train, those of her attendants were widely sashed in stiff bright lame, and only ankle-long cloth was used in the body dresses, which were of heavy white sewn all over with cobweb-fine silver thread. The- bridesmaids wore turban beach dresses and court shoes of the same heavy lame as the sashes. _ The cjnld bridesmaids, Prinecss Elizabeth of York and Lady Mary Cambridge, who followed immediately after the bride, had short, high-waisted frocks of stifrened white tulle. A half-wreath of white rosebuds outlined, the front and the neckline, and a similar half-wreath was worn on the side of the head. They carried posies of white rosebuds instead of bouquets. Princess Irene of Greece .and Princess Juliana of the Netherlands completed the bridal procession, in addition to Lady Mary Hope and two other ladies-in-waiting. The Afchbishops of Canterbury and York, the Bishop of London, the Greek Metropolitan, Dr. Germanos, and the Archimandrite Michael Constantimdos, awaited the bridal procession, winch followed Princess Marina, who was escorted by her father to the steps of the Sanctuary. THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY. The service followed the shortened form used in the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of York. In the simple magnificence of the English marriage ritual the dean opened with the exhortation, the Archbishop of Canterbury solemnising the marriage directly after, Prince Nicholas giving away the fciide. The gathering hushed to hear the quiet responses of the bride and bridegroom, their “I wills” for which the whole world was listening-in. It was a noteworthy service, and included tLe bride’s old-time promise to obey. As the bridegroom made his vow, t 'With this ring I thee wed,” Princess Marina’s finger graced the plain band of gold won from a Welsh mine. Following the solemnisation, Psalm lxvii. was sung to Sir Edward Bairstow’s music, then the lesser litany, the Lord’s Prayer, and prayers by the Archbishop ©f York. The married couple by this

LONDON, Thursday. Weeks of expectation throughout the British anci^er ster Abhey at 11co'clock ttis ion laTisUy aecol . .ted anyrfawnia by a TrsrMnSonrso of peopie. including hnn--zjz tremendous enthusiasm. The crowd s m size easily eclipsed those for sr s: that gathered in London for the co ronations of King Edward and Kin^i JeorS f' fit flip Ab bey were 20 women, who, at 1 a.m., — aid reading hy the light of street lam The Archbishop of Canterbury placed the ring on Princess Marina'stogefS 1111 a°m. Princess Marina's “I trill” was spoken in a “t yS. The Duke plighted his troth in firm tones. Both spoke a?Wesi£2°Sy the Greek Church ceremony was conducted in a private c hapel at Buckingham Palace. A special Empire broadcast of the. service enabled listeners throughout the world to hear the service.

time had advanced to the altar, where they were kneeling while the fifteenth century hymn, “God be in my Head,” Hic music by Sir H, Waiford Davies, was sung, preceding the Archbishop of Canterbury’s address. After the address, John Gos’s hymn, “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven,” the final prayer and benediction by the Primate, and the National Anthem completed the service. An anthem specially written by Dr. Bullock was sung during the signing of the register in Edward the Confessor’s Chapel, the principal theme being: “Father, hear the prayer we offer, Not for ease that prayer shall be. ’ ’ For the signing of the register the Duke and Duchess of Kent passed behind the altar. On an oaken table in the chapel open registers awaited the signatures, all signing two copie? belonging to the. Abbey, in addition to a special register of Royal marriages which has been in use for 160 years, and contains the signatures of practically every Royal personage in Europe for the last century, and a half. The choir, minor canons, canons and dean, headed the procession of the bride, bridegroom and bridesmaids back to the w'est door to the music of Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.” The captain’s escort of Life Guards awaited the married couple, who reached the palace by an extended route. There was a tremendous welcome in the streets, cheering mingling with the triumphant bells which pealed the news of the marriage. The King and Queen followed the bridal couple to the west door, accompanied by Prince and Princess Nicholas and the Prince of Wales, who drove in a carriage with his parents direct to the palace, the principal Royal guests following in other carriages. In addition to Sir James Parr, New Zealand High Commissioner, and Mr S. M. Bruee, Australian Resident Minister, the Agents-General and their wives were summoned to the Abbey, also the New Zealanders, Dr. Thomas Mill and his wife, Mr David Jones, and Mesdames Malcolm Fraser, A. Fair and Mathew Holmes. GREEK CHURCH CEREMONY. .Dircctlv the bride and bridegroom reached "the palace, the King and Queen and principal guests adjourned to a. private chapel, where the betrothal ceremony of the Greek Church was conducted by the Greek Archbishop of Loudon, Dr. Germanos, assisted by two priests and two deacons. On a table in the chapel were two rings and two crowns, while two children held lighted candles on either side. Facing the Archbishop, the Duke of Kent, on the right, and Princess Marina, on the left, exchanged rings at the Archbishop’s instance: “The servant of God, George, is betrothed to the servant of God, Marina, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” llie Archbishop then made the sign of the Cross over the Duke’s head, repeating the words and movement later over Princess Marina’s head. One other feature of this interesting ceremony was the so-called Order of Coronation, in which the bride and bridegroom, with lighted tapers m their hands, offered incense and repeated a prayer, whereupon a priest placed a crown upon the head of each in turn, thrice repeating, “O Lord God, our God, crown them with glory and honour.” After a brief instruction from the Archbishop, telling them how to live in marriage, i c acceptably to Crocl and honourably,” each party was interrogated, among the questions asked being: “Hast thou vowed thyself to another?” The words of betrothal were then pronounced thrice to both bride and bridegroom, whcreaftei the Archbishop placed rings on the third finger of the right hand of each. I he ring given to the Duke had been made especially to the instructions of Princess Marina. This gift is an integral part of the marriage rite of the Greek Orthodox Church. A feature of the ceremony was tlio bringing in of a common cup which was filled with wine, and after being blessed was given to the pair, who drank from it thrice, first the Duke and then the Duchess. The customary Greek service was much curtailed, and the actual marriage was omitted, as the Duke and Duchess were already man and wife. In the meantime the general body of guests gathered in the Throno Room and ether famous reception rooms in the Palace. Coming from the chapel the bridal march from “Lohongrin,” played by the Royal Artillery Band, greeted the bridal pair. THE WEDDING BREAKFAST. The cutting of the four-tiered wedding cake was the outstanding episode of the wedding breakfast. The cake, eight feet high, cost £SOO, and took seven weeks to make. Hidden in the lowest tier were seven golden charms, a wedding ring, a thimble, a button, a threepenny bitj a horseshoe, a dove, and a donkey. Thousands of pieces

will be sent all over the world to friends and acquaintances of the Royal Family, and also to hospitals.

COUPLE’S DEPARTURE.

A vast crowd in the neighbourhood of the palace awaited the departure of the couple, and there was a huge cheer when they appeared in the courtyard of the palace, and emerged in front of the Victoria Memorial. They travelled to Paddington in a coach drawn by the four celebrated “Windsor Greys,” attended by two outriders in liveries of scarlet and gold with coclcaded hats. From Paddington they went by special train at 4.20 p.m. to Birmingham. The crack Great Western Railways locomotive, King George V, preceded by a pilot engine, drew tho honeymoon train in which the Duke and Duchess of Kent occupied a drawing-room coach which.was garlanded with flowers. Later they went by motor to Himley Hall, lent by the Earl of Dudley, a close friend of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Kent. The hall has a historic park, and the estate includes more lakes than any other in England. Tho Duke and Duchess will have the great houso to themselves for the first week, but it is understood that a shooting party will join them later. At a special cinema erected on an indoor squash rackets court, they will see the wedding films simultaneously with the public. A MURKY DAY. BREEZE DISPELS FOG. LONDON, Thursday. A dampish and unseasonably mild and murky day greeted tho flood of humanity sweeping through_ the streets of London from dawn. Trainload after trainload of weary-eyed travellers poured from the railway termini from the early hours. Indeed, by 8 a.m. it seemed impossible that anybody but those with privileges would get anywhere near the palace or the Abbey, which had been points of attraction all might. . Fortunately there was a sufficient breeze to dispel the fog. Great crowds in front off the palace overran the whole Victoria Monument, sat on kerbstones and stood on the monument itself watching lights appearing one by one in the palace windows. Princess Marina rose shortly after 7 a.m. and breakfasted in her room. An hour later she peeped through the curtains at the surging crowds outside the palace gates, stretching solidly down the Mall. Immediately after breakfast M. Graude, Princess Marinas hairdresser, who had come specially from Paris, attended to. her coiffure which, for the wedding, was a modification of the now famous “Marina coirf Tire# * * t The Duke of Kent, who was staying at St. James’s Palace with the Prince of Wales, rose a little later than the Princess and breakfasted alone being joined by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York. ARCHBISHOP EXHORTS COUPLE. WELL BEHAVED CROWD. LONDON, Thursday. The Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Lang) addressing the bridal couple, said: “Never in history has a marriage been attended by so vast a com■pany of witnesses, for by a new and marvellous invention of science countless multitudes in every variety or place and home are joining in the service. The whole nation, nay the whole Empire, are wedding guests, and more than guests —members of a family. It must be most moving to you to know that this wealth of good wishes and good will is being offered you as then wedding gift.” After urging them to face the coming years in the spirit of the vows they had just exchanged, the Pinnate continued: “You, Sir, have already fullj taken your place in the service of the community. You, dear bride, as your husband’s comrade, will-find new happiness in sharing the joys and sorrows and ministering to the needs of the good British folk who have already, with a warmth of swift spoiltaneousness, taken you into. ieii hearts. God bless you both, guide you and keep you always. ” Mounted police, assisted by tnc whole of ' the City of London Constabulary, who themselves were relieved by special police, had their _ hands full in the early hours keeping the crowds back. Piccadilly looked like a town under scige. Barricades were everywhere. Shopkeepers, not taking chances of having tlieir windows pushed in by frenzied crowds, mostly had their windows boarded up and goods removed from the windows. While ti emendous congestion was anticipated, it was astonishing to find the mpi\ i y with which the crowd swelled in every open space. “Marina liats” were everywhere. Maidens and matrons wore them at a saucy angle. A brisk trade was done in small periscopes and mirrors to reflect scenes which it was quite obvious a great percentage of the crowd would not be able actua y to witness. GATHERING AT THE ABBEY. (Received Friday, 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, Thursday. Kipling’s lines, “The hush of- the dread high altar, where the Abbey makes us we,” were never more convincingly illustrated than to-day, when banked along its long-drawn aisle of historv, a congregation, gathered from F< U corners of the earth, attended m their Eing and Emperor, whose youngest son was marrying the heiress to another age and another civilisation two thousand years older than the British. As the organ pealed, the Abbey slowly filled until the aisles and transepts were thronged with every imaginable variety of uniform from field marshal to boy scout, admiral of the fleet to Chelsea pensioner. Mr Ramsay MacDonald wore a gorgeous Windsor uniform, and most civilian members of the Cabmen found some uniform with which to emulate their gorgeously caparisoned colleagues in the Services The first touch of an age-old pageantry came with the entrance of the King’s bodyguard of Gentlemen-at-Arms, carrying tho King’s colours; ai> ter that entered dignitaries of the Church in a procession, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, tho Bishop of London, Dr. Germanos, the Greek Archbishop, and the Archimandrite, Michael Constantimdos. Then came Royalties from the whole ot Europe. The first of our own Royal House to enter the Abbey were the Princess Royal and the Duchess of York, with Princess Margaret Rose, who sat com-

posedly on a footstool at her mother’s knee. The Duchess, herself a radiant bride amid tho same scenes and surroundings only a few years ago, wore a deep rose trained dress, the Princess Royal contrasting with a powder blue dress. MESSAGE FROM THE KING. WELLINGTON, This Day.. The Governor-General, Lord Bledisme, has received the following cable from the King:—“The Queen and I sincerely thank the people of New Zealand for their congratulations on the marriage of our youngest son, and know how much he and our daughter-in-law will appreciate the good wishes of the Dominions for their happiness.” — (P.A.)