The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-02-08
ALL HOLLAND
WAS PRESENT
WILHELMINA'S MARRIAGE A
HUGE FAMILY AFFAIR.
BLUSHED like BRIDES DO
Queen Became Confused and Awk-
ward Groom Needed Prompt
ing by Pastor.
BLUSHED like BRIDES DO


miDa's marriage to Duke Henry Of
MecklenburgS Schwerin, who today
became Prince Heinrich of the Neither
lands, was huge family affair. All
Holland that could came to The Hague
to participate. Those who stayed at
their homes in other cities and viii
lagos of the kingdom celebrated with
parades, decorations and banquets.
Never was seen more beautiful
and happy wedding. The popular be-
lief is that it is love match, like that
Of Victoria and Albert, and this gives
a romantic coloring to the event,
which is generally lacking in royal
marriages. The ceremony was the
same simple and unritualistic rites Of
the reformed church by which the
humblest of Queen Wilhelmina's SUBJ
jects are married. The whole spirit
of the affair was plain and democratic,
although the courtly gowns and jewels
and the snowy uniforms of distin-
guished personages and high officials
Of the Kingdom, the army and the
navy and representatives of the people
in parliament and the municipalities
furnished regal stage setting.
The venerable pastor administered
to the bride and groom a caution that
their high positions would not shield
them from the common suffe1ings and
SORROWS Of humanity. Queen Wilhel-
nina made very winning and human
bride. She blushed and became con-
fused over the ceremonial with the
ring as all brides are supposed to do,
whileiher happiness and pride over the
enthusiasm of her people were plainly
deeper than mere matter of form
Prince Heinrich as an awkward but
stalwart and manly figure. Either he
was forgetful or badly trained in the
part, for the pastor had to give him
two or three hints as to how to carry
himself. Those sitting near enough
to hear the responses describe him as
saying "Jah, mein herr when he
should simply have replied "Jah.''
The scene as the royal couple stood
with clasped hands before the chaplain
in circle of brilliantly arrayed
personages, including their relatives
and people composing the highest
families Of Holland and the neighbor-
ing German principalities. was won
derfully gorgeous, the masses of
variegated coloring rendering more
effective the gold and white banked
up against the walls of the church.
The building itself is cathedral in
size, but is as plain as Quaker meet
ing house in its furnishings.
Tonight the populace is like null
titude of happy children. Thousands
are swarmiug through the principal
streets, which are nearly impassable,
blowing horns, singing the national
hymn. following the bands and smash
ing hats and lanterns. There is con-
siderable mild hilarity inspired by
wine, but no offensive drunkenness.
Tailors, fishermen and farmers wear
their usual quaint costumes and
few soldiers are mixing with the
crowds.
At p. m. there was turning from
every direction toward the halisveld
entrance to the Bosch, where display
of fireworks is in progress On all
the principal streets are illuminated
portraits of the queen, Prince Helm
rich, the queen dowager and Duchess
Marie, as we'll as the national arms.
A noteworthy feature of the holiday
season is the entire absence of extor-
tion on the part of hotels and shop
keepers, and the warm hearted hospi-
tality with which all strangers are re-
ceived is equally observable.
VOCATION A DAD