The Indianapolis journal., 1885-07-27
WALES AND BATTENBURG.
Why Beatrice Was Given Away by Her
Imperial Mamma.

Why Beatrice Was Given Away by Her
Imperial Mamma.
Gable Special.
In reading the scores of columns of fulsome
descriptions of the wedding of Princess Beatrice
which since that event have crowded out Of the
papers every other topic of interest few have
probably noted the curious and unprecedented
fact that the Queen herself gave the bride away,
although the official programme assigned this
duty to the Prince of Wales The significance
Of this change in the programme induced your
correspondent to institute inquiries at Osborne
House to discover if possible the reason for SO
important a departure from the original arrange
ments Diligent applying of questions brought
10 light the fact that the Prince of Wales had all
along refused to take any part whatever in the
ceremonies and had declined even to be present
at his sisters marriage. His name was, how
ever, placed in the programme without his
knowledge, aud in obedience to the imperative
command of his royal mother he sulkily con-
sented to attend. Upon his arrival at Osborne
House, Beatrice vauly begged the Prince
70 ofhciate In the capacity of giving
away the bride. and the Queen added her com
mands with as little effect. The Prince declared
shat the match was beneath the dignity of the
Eoyal IaEllly and the alliance worse than
that formed by the marriage of the Princess
Louise to the Marquis of Lorne. If Beatrice
must De gwen TO an obscure beggar it should
never be done with his consent, and certainly
not by his act. At this juncture the Duke of
Edlnourg, probably-with an eye to his mothers
hoarded millions, came forward and offered to
shclate He was promptly and effectually
Snuoped, however, by the Queen, who, doubtless
seeing that the substitution of the Duke of Ed
ihonsg for the Prince Of Wales in so important
anu conspicuous capacity would create imme-
ulate suspicion that serious disruption had
tahen pace III the family, decided to personally
give the bride away. The courtiers wera ac
cordingly instructed to circulate the storv that
the Queen, anxious to give crownino nToof of
her affection for her only remaining dauebtar
would personally give her away.
Immediately after the marriage ceremonv Tho
Prince of Wales and mis- family returned to on
don without waiting to participate in any of the
concluding festivities 1t is freely said that the
Queens haste to have Henry of Battepbnrc
gaZetted royal highness and a knight of tho
Garter was inspired by alarm lest the Prince of
Wales should take occasion to show his disre.
spect for Prince Henry in the same manner in
which he treated Prince Christian for some time
after the marriage Of the latter to his sister
Princess Helena.
The soldiers and police who were drafted for
special duty on the Isle of Wright during the
marriage ceremony complain bitterly Of the
rsnaoby treatment they received while there
One instance is related where 10 members of
the Newhampshire police commenced duty on
"Wednesday Afternoon and not having been pro-
yided with quarters, compelled to sleep
tupon the ground in the Whpplngham church
Eyard. They received no food whatever until 10
O'clock Thursday morning, when q microscopic