The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-04-26
ROYAL SPRIGS UNITED.
GORGEOUS WEDDING CEREMON-
les AT COBUKG, GERMANY.
The Contracting Parties Were Grandsorl
and Granddaughter of Queen Victoria,
Who Attended, as Did Numer-
Gus Other Royal Personages.

Highness, Princess Victoria Melita of
Saxe-Caburg and Gotha, grand
daughter of Queen Victoria, was mar
ried today in the chapel of the
Ducal palace here, to Duke
Ernest Louis Charles Albert William
OF Hesse, grandson OF Queen Victoria
The weather is splendid here today
for the royal wedding. The city is
packed with royal and imperial
guests, for, ign visitors and German
sight seers. Every building is decoI-
ated in some manner, even the most
modest cottages having at least some
slight display of bunting to the
breeze, while the Important
thoroughfares and prominent
buildings are buried Oeueath
decorations of all descrip-
lions and Colors. AT first the sky was,
overcast, but early in the day the,
sky had cleared to a beautiful blue.
and the sun Deamed glOriously upon
his temporary headquarter of repre-
sentatives of nearly al the Imperial
families of Europe. The fret dragoon.
band filled the air with music, play
ing front OF the Edinburgh palace. The
Schlossplalz and the terraces over
looking the park were so thronged at
10 o'clock this morning that the police
were compelled to urive persons away
in order to prevent dangerous crushes.
According TO the ceremonial decided
upon by Queen Victoria (all arrange
ments having been submitted to her in
TlOrenGe,) the marriage was 10 take
place at noon precisely in the private
chapel Of the Ducal Shloss, with full
state in the Lutheran church.
The bride was supported by her
younger sister. The private Schloss
chapel was thoroughly decorated for
the occasion, and as the we'd
| ding took place on Primrose
day, primroses were largely
in the decorations, these flowers hsv-
ing been sent from England for the
occasion. Queen Victoria was ac-
companied to the chapel by the duke
If Sake Oburg and Gotha (the duke
of Edin burg, father of the bride). and
was escorted to sn arm chair in the
front row of the distinguished guests,
and next TO Emperor william of Ger
many, by whose size was the duchess
OF sake Coburg aud GOtha (the grand
duchess Marie OF Russia, Sister of the
car There was some DELAY in the
proceedings and consequently it was
$3.50 o. m. before the ceremony COM
menced, but it was most brilliant
and impressive function.
Ia the wedding procession Emp5-
ror William escorted the Duchess of
CoDurg and ex-Empress Frederick
followed alone. the Prince of Wales
and the czarOwtCh came next, walk
ing together. The bridegroom enter
ed with his supporters, bis uncle,
Prince Henry of Hesseg
and hrOtheT-in.law, Prince henrY
OF Prussia. The bride came In last,
supported by her father and brother
and accompanied by her sisters. The
Princess Of Wales sat beside Ex-Em-.
press Frederick OF Germany eldest
daughter OF Queen Vi0loria), them
came the czaTowich. The disting-
uished guests occupied front seats on
the other side of the isle, correspond
ing with those of Queen Victoria, En-
poier William and the Duchess Of
Coburg. Other important person.
ages flied three rows behind EACH
other imperial notabiies already mem
toned, but the suitea, court officials
and ministers in attendance remained.
standing throughout the ceremony.
Among the other distinguished per-
sonages pl esent were the Duke and
Duchess of Connaught, Prince and
Princess Henry Of Prussia, the Grand
Duke and Grand Duchess Vladln1ar-
of Russia, Crank Duke Sergius of Rug
eia and his wife, formerly the Prin-
cess Elizabeth of Hesse. Darmstadt,
the Princess A lix of Hesse, the Crown
Prince and Princess of Roumania, the
Hereditary Prince and Princess of
x-Meignep, Prince and Princess
Philip of Coburg, Prince George OF
Greece, Prince Airbert of Anhalt an Il
Princes Henry and Louis of Batten-
burg.
The sun shone through The chapel
windows upon this distinguished as
semblage, ladies in court toilettes,
sparkling with jewels, their bright
dresses contrasting beautifully with
the gorgeous uniforms of the male
portion of the GUSTS. The elaborate
floral decorations, the grandeur OF the
old chapel and the natural solemnity
, of the surroundings, forming mag
nificept tout ensemble which has not
often been equaled of recent years in
any country in the world.
Queen Victoria wore the broad blue
ribbon of the Order of the Garter and
) upon her head sparkled magnificent
crown of diamonds. Her majesty re-
manned seated throughout, her age
and iDfrmitles preventing her from
, standing when all the other wedding
r guests arose during certain portions OF
, the marriage service
The general uperintendent Of the
Lutheran church, Pastor Muelle.
ofIiciated and was assisted by the
court chaplain of the Grand Duchy OF
Hesse and five local clergymen. A fter
S the address had been delivered, the
bride and groom exchanged wedding
Y rings. Then came the benedietion
' after which Mendelsohn's wedding
2 march was grandly played and the
;. ceremony was at an end The mar
Z riod oOuy,la oftarwarda kiaaad THAR