Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-02-24
ISCELL A n Y
The Royal Marriage.


From the long account of the marriage o
Queen Victoria's Oldest daughter to the oldest
son of the King of Prussia which took place il
the Chapel Of st. James Palace, London, on the
10Th ult., We make the following extract:
| 1t is now past twelve o'clock, and the excite
ment of expectation increases every moment
Ladies who are driven near the door intrigue
successfully to change their places with lord;
who are nearer to the altar. noble COUNTIES,
drops her cloak and shawl over the gallery raj
ON to the floor with heavy flop" and a gen
eral litter ensues. 1t is increased as another
peeress, looking over, moults the feathers from
her head dress and they come sailing slowly
down, and every one looks up much as people
do at the theatre when q playbill goes eddying
over into the pit. Suddenly there is little stir
and the Princess of Prussia enters the chapel
magnifcently attired in robe of white satin,
and with her train borne by the youthful Coun-
tess Hacke. With her Royal Highness come
their Highnesses Prince Adalbert and Prince
Frederick Charles, and a most brilliant suite OF
Prussan officers. The whole brilliant audience
of the chapel rises en- MasSe and bows as the
Princess Royals mother-inlaw elect passes or
TO the altar.
Hardly are they seated there, on the left hand
side, when family in the distance the long blown
clear, defiant notes of the trumpeters are heard
They come nearer and nearer, and the last ar
rivals among the visiters hasten to arrange them
selves, while the offices of the household fall in
to brilliant line along the pathway up the chap
el at either side. Step by step the advance OF
the trumpeters is followed; now they are de-
scendng the staircase, the regular roll and beat
of the silver kettle-drums become audible, and
the prolonged triumphant flourish proclailns the
approach OF her Majesty. The trumpeters, pur-
suivants, clerks, and equerries file off outside
the chapel but the Lord Steward, Norroy, Cla-
reuceux, Garter, the Lord Privy Seal, the Presi-
dent of the Council, the Lord Chancellor, the
Earl Marshal of England, and others Of high
note and rank, all enter. But they enter almost
unobserved, for from behind them comes the
Princess Mary of Cambridge, her train borne by
Lady Arabella Sackville West.
A murmur of admiration. which neither time
nor place could altogether subdue, greeted her
as she enters the chapel, bowling with stately
elegance in return for the homage rendered her.
After her royal highness comes the Duke of
Cambridge, attended by Colonel Tyrwhitt; and
to the duke also tribute of cordial respect is
paid. The Duchess of Cambridge is received in
the same manner, but deeper reverence awaits
the Duchess of Kent, who smilingly, and as to
friends, returns the greeting. The next great
notabiity is the veteran premier, who bears be-
fore the Queen the Sword Of State in ponderous
solemnity After this even the royal princes
are unnoticed, and every one bows slowly and
deeply as her Msjesty, leading in either hand
Prince Arthur aud Prince Leopold, enters the
chapel. OF course on these occasions there is
no applause and nothing but the prolonged O.
beisances denote the depth Of loyal welcome
with which the royal mother of the bride is
welcomed.
The Queen looks, as she always looks, kindly
and amable, but self-possessed and stately. On
her head is crown of jewels such as relieves all
apprehension as to the effect which the late
Hanoverian raid" upon the royal caskets might
have upon her Msjesty's toilet. Courtesying in
acknowledgment OF the profound homage with
which she is welcomed, her Majesty passes at
once to the chair OF State on the left of the al
tar, and which is placed between the five en-
broldered settees, occupied by the youngest roy
al children. From this time all remain stand.
ing in the presence of Majesty, even the Prin-
cess of Prussia, who stands on the opposite side
Of the altar.
Lord Palmerston, on the Queens right hand
bears the Sword OF State; while the Duchess OF
Sutherland, herself attired in almost royal mag
ni6cence, stands on the lett by right of office OF
Mistress of the Robes. Again there is another
pause of intense interest, and again the drums
and trumpets are heard, and, ushered in with
the same imposing ceremonies, comes the pro-
cession of the bridegroom On his right walks
his Royal Highness the Prince of Prussia, his
father, and on his left his brother, Prince AL
bert. All eyes, however, are fixed upon the
royal bridegroom, as he walks slowly, but with
the utmost perfect ease and elegance of action,
up the centre of the chapel. He wears the uni
form of a Prussian General, with the insignia of
the Order OF the Black Eagle of Prussia.
The uniform shows his tall figure to advan-
tage, and sets off his frank open countenance
and prepossessing bearing. Near the altar he
stops before her Majesty's chair of State and
slowly bows with the most profound reverence,
and, turning to his royal mother, he bows again
with equal respect but less deeply than to the
Queen, and then kneeling in the centre of the
chapel, prays with earnest devotion for a few
minutes. His prayers ended, he rises and stands
at the right hand of the altar waiting his bride,
and likewise submitting to such a scrutiny from
hundreds of brilliant eyes as never bachelor
witbstood alone before.
Again pause ensues--a pause Of impressive
solemnity, for expectation seems wrought to the