Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-19
LUCK FOR THE BRIDE
Sunny Skies Smile on the Wedding
at Coburg.
AN IMPOSING CEREMONY OF ROYALTY
Distinguished Persons at the Mar.
rage.
rage.
SCENES OF THE OCCASION

COBURG, Germany, April 19.-The wealth
er Is splendid here today for the royal we'd
ding. The city is packed with royal and
imperial guests, foreign visitors and Ger
man sightseers. Every building is decorat-
ed in some manner, even the most modest
cottages having futtered at least some
slight display of bunting to the breeze
while the thoroughfares and prominent
buildings are buried beneath decorations
Of all descriptions and colors.
During the early morning hours people
poured into the city by every road and by
all means of conveyance.
At first the city was overcast and rain
was in prospect, but by o'clock the sky
cleared to a beautiful blue and the sun
beamed gloriously upon this temporary
headquarters of representatives of nearly
all the imperial and royal families Of Eu-
rope.
The morning hours were the occasion for
much dashing here and there Of mounted
orderlies and considerable driving about on
the part of the wedding guests.
The First Dragon Regiment Band made
the air still more bracing by playing at
short intervals a delightful musical program
in front Of the Edinburgh palace.
Crowds soon packed the palace square and
all important personages were loudly cheer
ed as soon as recognized by the expectant
multitudes.
The palace square and the terraces over
looking the park were so thronged by IL
am. that the police were compelled to drive
people away In order to prevent dangerous
brushes.
According to the "ceremoniaP' decided
upon by Queen Victoria (all arrangements
having been submitted to her at Florence)
the marriage was to take place at noon pre-
cisely in the private chapel of the ducal
I.rIfh N
style. Following German presidents, there
were no bridesmaids. but the bride was sup
ported by her younger sisters.
The private chapel of the palace was
thoroughly redecorated for the occasion
and az the wedding took place on "Prim-
rose day." primrose entered largely into the
Interior decorations, these, however having
been sent from England for the occasion.
Scene in the Chapel.
Queen Victoria was accompanied to the
chapel by the Duke Of Saxe-Coburg- Gotha
(the Duke of Edinburgh, father of the
bride). and was escorted to an armchair In
the front row of the distinguished guests
and next to Emperor William of Germany
by whose side was the Duchess of Saxe-Co.
burg-Gotha (the Grand Duchess Marie OF
Russia, only daughter of Gar Alexander u
and sister OF the czar
There was some delay In the proceedings
ana consequently IL was 1890 pm. before
the ceremony commercial; but II was 9
most brilliant and impressive function.
In the wedding procession Emperor Will
lam escorted the Duchess of Coburg and ex
Empress Frederick followed alone. The
Prince of Wales and the czarewitch came
next. walking together.
The bridegroom entered with his sup
pcrters. his uncle, Prince Henry of Hesse
and his bYother-in-law, Prince Henry o.
Prussia.
The bride came In last, supported by hel
father and brother, and accompanied by
her sisters
The Prince Of Wales sat behind ex-Em
press Frederick of Germany eldest daugh
ter of Queen Victoria) then came the care
witch Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia
eldest son of the czar). These DISTINGUISHED
guests occupied front seats on the Other
side OF the aisle. corresponding with those
of Queen Victoria, Emperor William and
the Duchess of Coburg.
Other important personages filed thret
rows behind each OF the royal and imperia
notabilities already mentioned: but the
suites. court officials and ministers In at
tendance remained standing Throughout
the ceremony.
Among the other distinguished person
ages present were the Duke and Duchess
OF Connaught. Prince and Princess Henri,
OF Prussia, the GRAD Duke and Grand
Duchess Vladimir of Russia Grand Duke
Sergius of Russia and his wife, formerl,
the Princess Elizabeth Of Hesse- Darms tadt
the Princess Alix of Hesse, the Crown
Prince and Princess of Roumania, the
Hereditary Prince and Princess of SAKE.
Meiningen, Prince and Princess Philip OF
Coburg, Prince George of Greece, Prince
Aribert Of Analt. and Princes Henry and
Louis Of Battenburg.
The sun shining through the chapel win
dows upon this distinguished assemblage
ladies' In court toilettes. sparkling with Jew
els, their bright dresses contrasting beauti
FULLY with the gorgeous uniforms of the
male portion of the guests, the elaborate
floral decorations. the grandeur of the ole
chapel and the natural solemnity of the sur
roundings. formed a magnificent tout en-.
semble which has not often been equaled ir
recent years In any country in the world
Queen Victoria wore the broad, blue rib
bon of the Order of the Garter and upor
her head sparkled a magnificent crown OF
diamonds. Her majesty remained seated
throughout, her age and infirmities prevent.
ing her from standing when all the other
wedding guests arose during certain por-
tons Of the marriage service.