Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-05-21
IN THE POLITE WORLD.
Story of a Swell Wedding Among Old.
World Royalty,

The recent wedding At Coburg of the
Princess Alexandra, third child OF
Duke Alfred OF Edinburgh and grand.
daughter OF Queen Victoria, to Prince
Ernst Frederick OF Hohenlohe-l .angen-
burg was n brilliant function, although
lacking in some of the pomp and cere-
mony with which Il would have been
attended had IL taken place in England,
where the bride resided until the seie,-
ton Of her father as duke of Saxe.Co-
burg Gotha, Magnificent weather fav-
orrd the royal pair, Every structure
and residence In the town and the sur
rounding country from the palace to
the humhlest cottage, was gayly dec
grated with flags, bunting and flowers
aud trtumphal arches SPAWNED the prin.
rtpal thoroUGhtares The day had been
declared n general holiday and tetcs
were arranged for The school children,
while to committee OF representative
citizens was allotted the task of vol.
coming the arriving visitors At an
early hour the band OF tho First
nagoon regiment took up position In
front OF the Edinburgh palace and
rendered In succession tho airs OF all
nations, This was the signal for great
crowds to gather about the Schloss plat
and the surrounding terraces, and their
numbers Increased TO such proportions
that the services Of n company of cav
airy were called into rcquisition to pre-
serve a space through which the In
vttcd guests could reach the Riesendal.
where they were expected to report be-
fore proceeding to the church,
Eleven o'clock was the time fixed for
the ceremony, but II was nearly an
hour later when the bride, accom-
panied by the principal porsonaees OF
the day, made by her appearance In tho
rohtng room Of the private chapel OF
the ducal schlosa, llore the procession
was formed and passed down the main
aisle to the altar, The bride, whose
toilet was Of white corded silk,
dccollCtc. the train being horne by
eight tiny pages, and the whole eiabor-
atCly trimmed with orange blossoms,
was escorted by Ter father Tie en-
peror OF Germany walked with tho
mother Of tho bride, the duchess of Co.
burg, formerly the Grand Duchess
Marie OF Russia and sister of the pres.
ent Cgar; while the prince of Wales es.
cortcd the Emprcsa Frederick, The
representatives OF Queen Victoria were
the duke and duchess of York, and OF
the ear, the Grand nukN Serge Alex
androwitch and the Grand Duchess
Elizabeth Hodorovna The groom was
accompanied by his father. the present
governor of Almce-l Lorraine. Behind
these came the prince and princess OF
IIolninRcn, tho princess being Queen
NiCtorins fayorlto hnlf-aiator. the prin-
cess Victoria Mellta Of Coburg, sister
OF the bride. aud her husband, tho
grand duke of lleasc; the Prince and
Princess Christian of SChlesWig liOl-
stein he grand duke of Sake Weimar,
Princess Victoria OF Schloswig lIolstein
and several other notnhles The seats
Of the small chapel had been reserved
for the royalties. and no sparse was tho
remaining accommodation that many
of the guests, M well ~ the Couriers
and attendants, were compelled to
stand In the rear In accordance with
the Lutheran custom there were no
bridesmaids. the bride being attended
! only by the Princess Beatrice, her
j younger sister The chapel was pro-
, fusoly decorated with cut and growing
/ flowers, while the altar was literally
/ Embedded with choice cxotlrs stalwart
/ lilies and stately palms There were
also several bouquets OF prImroses. tho
brides favorite flower, which had been
sent specially from England
Whom tho guests had taken their
places the couple knclt before the altar
and an address was delivered by Pastor
! frd Muller. superintendent Of tho
! Lutheran church. Then repeating thu
words after the court chaplain. the
! couple plighted their troth Four local
members OF the clergy took part In the
remaining services, which consisted OF
short Bible reading, nm invocation
and prayer. When the simple but
Impressive ceremony had reached thls
/ point tho newly made man and wife
exchanged wedding rings, the benedlc-
! ton was pronounced and Mendels-
sohn's wedding march pealed from the
organ. At the same moment, by
given signal, cannon doomed and tho
bells Of every church In the town were
set n-rlnging. The bride and groom
and the guests then returned TO the
! Riescndal, where the wedding break.
fast was served, the populace giving
them an enthusiastic greeting. Queen
Victoria sent instead q telegram of con.
graduation.
The Princess Alexandra is daugh-
ter Of the duke OF Edinburgh, fourth
child OF Queen Victoria, and was born
in London Sept ], 1878. In disposition
she bears strong resemblance to her
cousin. Princess Maud OF Wales. who Is
to be married In July. She Is viva
cious inclined TO be rollicking and full
OF fun, and has great fancy for sports.
She has what Is known as baby
face" round. with exceedingly fair
-.