Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-08-01

WHY THE PRINCE OF WALES REFUSED TO orvu
AWAY THE BRIDE-sHABBr CONDUCT OF
ROYALTY.

WHY THE rRrScE OF WALES REFUSED TO orvu
AWAY THE BRIDE-sHABBr CONDUCT OF
ROYALTY.
From a London Letter
In reading the scores OF columns OF fnlsoms
descriptions ofthe wedding ofTrincess Beatrice.
which since that event have crowded out OF the
newspapers every other topic OF interest, few
have probably noted the curious and unprece-
bride away, although the of1cial program as-
signed this duty 20 the Prince 81 Wales. The
significance OF this change In the program
induced your correspondent TO institute In.
quiiies nj Osborne House To discover II possi-
ole, the reason for so important a departure
ing OF questions brought 70 light the fsct tSst
the Prince OF Wales had all along refused 10
take any part whatever I'm the ceremonies, and
declined even To be present at his sisters mar.
riage. His name was however, placed In the
program without his knowledge, and, in obsds-
ence to the imperative command Of his royal
mother, he sulkily consented 10 attend the
wedding.
Upon his arrival at the Osborne House Bsa.
trice vatnly begged the prince 10 offciate In the
queen added her commands with AS little effect
The prince declared that the match was be-
meath the dignity OF the royal family, and the
alliance worse even than that formed by the
Princess Louise with the Marquis Of 1yorne IL
Beatrice must be given 10 an obscure begyar. 10
should never be done with his consent and
certainly not by his act At this lupcture the
Duke of Edinburgh, probably with an eye 70 his
mothers boarded Millions came forward and
offered 10 ofiiciate. He was promptly and effect
uaiiy snubbed, however. by the Queen, who
doubtless seeing that the substitution Of the
Duke OF Edinburgh tor the Prince Of Wales In 20
important and conspicuous q capacity would
create immediate suspicion that q serious dis
ruption had taken place In the family, decided
To personally give the bride away. The cour-
tiers were accordingly instructed TO circulate
the story that the queen, anxious TO give q
crowning lroof Of her affection FOR her only 70
manning daughter, would personally give her
away.
The soldiers and police who were drafted for
special duty on the Isle OF Wight during the
marriage ceremonies complain bitterly or the
shabby treatment they received while there.
One instance related where 10 memb ers Of
the Hampshir. police commenced duty on
"Wednesday afternoon, and, not having been
provided with quarters, were compelled to
sleep on the ground In the Nhippingham
churchyard. They received no food whatever
until 10 o'clock Thursday morning. when q
microscopic ration OF weak tea and bread and
bntier Was served t. them. The police,
fered acutely from the effects OF hunger,
thirst and loss OF sleep. Early Thursday morn.
came upon a small wsyside store. They entered
I'm force and demanded such eatables as the
proprietor had for sale. The only article In the
store that could be eaten was dog biscuit, tho
entire stock or which was eagerly purchased
and devoured by the fam shed policemen. The
treatment received by the soldiers was scarcely
better than that OF the policemen, though the
former were lucky enough e. get two square
meals during their stay of thirty-six hours or
more.
Immediately after the marriage ceremony
the Prince of Wales and his family returned To
London, without waiting To participate I'm any
OF the concluding festivities. II Is freely said
that the queens haste To have Prince Henry Of
Battenberg gaZetted "A royal highness and .
knight OF the garter was inspired by alarm lest
the Prince of Wales should take occasion TO
show his disrespect for Prince Henry I'm the
same manner in which he treated Prince Chris.
tian for some time after the marriage Of the
latter TO his sister, Princess Helena.