Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-10
ALBERT OF BELGIUM
rival Of the Heir Presumptive to
a Royal Throne.
aILL REACH WASHINGTON TODAY
Arrangements for His Soourn and
Entertainment.
HIS PERSONALITY DESCRIBED

Prince Albert. heir p1esumptive to the
throne of Belgium. who has come to the
United States for the purpose OF seeing
for hin self the evidences of the remark
able advancement of civilization in the
greatest republic on earth. will arrive IN
Washington over the Pennsylvania railroad
a few minutes before o'clock this after
neon. He will be accompanied by Court
Physician DR.. Charles Melis, Lieut.. Col.
Jupgbiuth of the Belgian army, his abide
camp end two Wallets and Count LIGHTER
velde. the Belgian minister TO the United
States, who went over to New York to
meet and greet the high representative of
lis country. Prince ALERT has been see
irg the sights in New York and has
shown an inclination to investigate things
on mis- own account, and he is eager to
reach the capital city, where he will have
admirable opportunity for realizing the
simplicity of republican institutions AMI the
smoOthness with which the machinery of
government is operated over here.
Arrangements for His Comfort.
Upon his arrival Prince Albert will be
driven to the Arlington Hotel, where he
will he domiciled during his stay in Wash
irgton. The red. yellow and black flag OF
Belgium is floating from one of the flag
STATS of the hotel. while the stars and
stripes flies proudly from the other.
Prince Albert will be altogether COM
fCrtable in the quarters he will occupy.
They comprise six or eight rooms on the
third floor of the new part of the Airing
ton above the apartments recently occu-
pied b. President Dole. The drawing room
at the corner of L street and Vermont ave-
hue corresponding to The reception room
of the Hawaiian president is part of the
suite of Senator Platt OF Connecticut.
Prince Albert's parlor adjolns this apart
ment. The room is furnished in blue and
gold and rich oriental rugs cover the floor
On the walls are hung some of the best
pictures in the Arlingtons excellent col
lection. The prince and his party will, of
course. be given private service.
President MckinIey's Dinner.
While he is visiting the country i1for-
mally Prince Albert will be the recipient of
most distinguished attention and courtesy.
Tomorrow night he will be the guest of
President and Mrs Mckinley at dinner.
The preparations for this occasion ars be-
ing made upon a lavish scale.
The White House was closed to visitors
early today to allow the beginning Of the
work Of decorating for the dinner.
News received at the White House
that the condition of Archduchess Ste
phanie, cousin OF Prince Albert, is i'm
proved.
The decorations for the dinner will be on
a scale of unusual splendor
Saturday night Prince Albert will be the
dinner guest of the Vice President and
Mrs. Hobart.
Personal characteristics.
The prince is a well-built. handsome
young man of twenty-five. fully six feet
tall. and proportionately broad. he is clean
shaver. and has the features of his uncle,
King Leopold II. His hair is ash blond.
and he wears glasses. His knowledge of
English is exceedingly limited, but he
speaks perfect French.
Prince Albert Leopold Clement Marie
Mainrod Is a son of the Count of Flanders
and nephew of King Leopold, whom he is
expected to succeed on the throne. His
father is the heir to the throne. but is said
to have announced his intention of abdicat-
ing in Prince Albert's favor in the event of
King Leopold's death without male issue.
The prince was born in Brussels April ),
1919 His elder brother, Prince Baldwin,
died in mysterious manner in 1891. Some
reports had ii that he had been killed in q
duel. others that he had committed suicide
and still others that he died of pneumonia
Prince Albert is a captain in the Belgian
grenadiers and an honorary member Of the
second regiment. Prussian dragons. He
has the decoration of a knight of the Order
of the Golden Eagle. besides numerous
other minor decorations. While finely edu-
Gated he is not brilliant man, being
rather slow of thought and much given to
quiet study. He bears an excellent reputa-
ton IN his native land. and is reported to
be engaged TO Princess Clementine of Or
leans. He is an ardent bicyclist and all
around sportsman.
Prince Albert stated upon his arrival in
New York that his main object in coming
here was to study the manufactures of this
country and become familiar with the most
recent improvements in electrical appa-
ratus
For that purpose he intends to visit the
principal manufacturing centers, and will
for
tween now and July, when he expects to
return to his home.