The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-11-13 00:00:00

MARRIAGES IN HIGH LIFE.

The marriages of the Marquis of Lansdowne with
Lady Maud Hamilton, youngest daughter of the Duke
of Abercorn •' and of the Marquis of Blandford,
eldest son of the Duke of Marlborough, to the Lady
Alberta Hamilton, were celebrated on Monday morn-
ing at Westtninser Abbey with great ceremony. Long
before the time appointed for the ceremony every IOFt
of the interior of the Abbey (admission to which was
by ticket), where a view of the proceedings could be
obtained wan fully occupied. The choir was reserved
for the inimediate friends of the noble families
interested, and it presented an array of rank
arid fashion that rainy congregates under similar
circumstances within its precincts. The scene
was a brilliant one, and the variety of hues of the ele-
gant costumes if the ladies had a most gorgeous effect.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of
Wales, the Prince and Princess Christian, and the
Duke of Cambridge, honoured the occasion with their
presence, and seats under the lantern were specially
reserved for them, every one rising as they approached.
After the lapse sof a few minutes the organ poured forth
a voluntary, which announced the arrival of the
bridal party, 'The two brides were robed in rich
white Patin and Brussels lace, flowing Brussels
lace veils, with wreaths of orange blossoms encircling
their brows. The ornaments of both were very
beautiful, consisting of magnificent white pearl neck-
laces with diamond clasps, and diamond and pearl
earrings ems suite, the gift of their noble father, the
Duke of Abercorn. The brides were attended by the
following twelve young la lies :—Lady Georgians
Hamilton (sister of the brides), Ladies Annie, Sarah,
and Georgina Churchill (sisters of the Marquis of
litandford and slaughters of the Duke and Duchess of
Marlborough), Ladies Beatrice and Katherine Lamb.
ton (olaughtere of the Earl and Countess of Durham),
Ladies Florence and Beatrice Anson (slaughters of the
Earl and Countess of Lichfield), Lady Emily Fitz-
inaurice (sister of the Marquis of Lansdowne), Igidies
'Victoria and AlberthaEtiscusnlie (daughtersof the Earl
and Countess of Mount-Esigcumbe), and Miss Winifred
Howard (cousin of the Marquis of Lansdowne). Six
of the above were dressed in white and pink, and six
in white and blue taffeta glace, four wore bonnets of
velour 6pingle, trimmed with marabouts, and the re
flaming young ladies wore hats of a similar description.
The bridal party having ranged themselves in the body
of the choir, the Rev. Lord Wriothesley Russell, uncle
of the brides, performed the religious service, assisted
by the Rev. Canon Nepean and the minor canons. The
service was choral and was finely executed by the
choir of the Abbey.

After the marci.age rite had been performed, the
whole party proceeded to the altar, the choir preceding
them, chanting the psalms to Tonle in E during their
progress. The blessing having been pronounced, the
brides and bridegrooms returned down the aisle and
proceeded to the Chapter House to sign the register,
which was witnessed among others by the Prince of
Wales, the organ playing the march from the overture
to Handel's Occasional Oratorio.

On leaving the Chapter -Rouse the wedding party
adjourned to Chrstertield-house, the town mansion of
the Duke of Abercorn, where a grand dijedner had
been prepared for a large and distinguished circle.
The wedding presents were very numerous : con-
spicious among them being gifts from her Majesty the
Queen, their Royal Itghnesses the Prince and Princess
of Wales, Prince and Princess Christian, the Duke of
Abercorn, the Duke of Marlborough, the Marquis
of Bute, &c.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Lapsdowne left
town in the afternoon for Bowood, and the Marquis
and Marchioness of Biandford for Blenheim Palace,
Oxfordshire.