The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-08

Both subscribed their names to the con-
tracs and the simple ceremony was ended.
| TIE royal couple and spectators imrne-
| diately descended to the palace entrance
| where state carriages were lnlc waiting
| The young Queen was flushed and radi-
| ant as she emerged from the palace. led
| by the bridegroom. great shou, Of well
| come greeted her which she stopped to
| acknowledge before stepping into the mag
niicent golden chariot which was present
ed to her by the city of Amsterdam at the
| time of her coronation.
The marriage procession was a very
brief one, consisting of scarcely more
than guard of honor.
First came fifty mounted Hussars and
then the Grand Master of Ceremonies and
royal guests in state carriages. each
drawn by six horses. Then followed the
Queens golden chariot behind eight SPLEEN
didly caparisoned horses ridden by postil-
lions, with the chief of the military house
hold and the Governor of The Hague as
outriders.
Queen Wilhelmina sat in the place of
the Dowager Queen opposite. Fifty
mounted artillerymen followed
The sharp frost in the air made 1t nee.
essary to drive briskly along the short
route to the church, but 1t was through
such thunders of applause and enthusiasm
as constituted an ovation of which any
monarch might be proud. All Holland and
-, q h.
while the brilliance of the decorations
made it seem like driving under a contin-
uous canopy of garlands, banners, and
arches. Orange, of course. predominated
in the wilderness OF bunting. but light
touches of powdery snow upon the ever
green bows and festoons gave a delightful
picturesqueness to the combined effect.
Meantime. all the audience for the reli-
gious ceremony except the royal PARTY
had assembled in the church This great
old building of hideous exterior had been
made almost imposing within, One wing
had been cut off. In fact, it is never used
on account OF the size and the impossi-
bility of any human voice making itself
understood in that great auditorium.
unused wing The auditorium was so ar
ranged that 1t formed a great square, Of
which the nave was the centre. The only
attempt at decoration was a great pro-
fusion of tropical greens and masses of
white lilies behind the officiating predi-
cant, hich lent their brilliant color to
the audience, while banked on all four
sides of the square was splendid group
of women in full toilettes and men in bril-
liant uniforms.
A Scene of beauty.
The most striking thing in the church
was a magnificent carpet, twelve feet
square, which was spread for the bridal
couple in front of the altar. It was rich
fabric and had been embroidered by the
ladies of the court. It bore the emblazon-
ed arms Of the bride and the bridegroom
and other appropriate insignia, the whole
making a gorgeous bit of color.
At just after noon, when the curtains
had been drawn aside, the organ and choir
burst out in the song of prayer, the
"Gebet," written by Boele.
The royal guests entered lArst, Then
came the Queen other. and after her The
royal couple. The bride made a simple
but regal figure, as, with her head
slightly bowed, she walked slowly to the
centre of the church upon the arm OF her
consort, pale but composed. The sun
poured a flood of yellow light upon her
through the great windows. lighting up
her simple but magnificent. costume into
splendor. She wore q tiara of diamonds
which was almost hidden by orange bios
SONS and plain tulle veil. She carried
a bouquet of orchids and orange blossoms.
The bridegroom, who made striking
figure, wore the uniform of vice admiral
of the Netherlands, crossed with the rib
bon Of the Netherlands Union. The bridal
couple took chairs facing the predicant,
DR.. Van Der Filler, the court pastor. The
reigning Prince OF Mecklenburg- Schwerin
and the Queen-mother sat on the right
of the bride. Queen Emma wore lilac
-panne, opening over a eam-colored
skirt.
To the left of the groom were his
mother and the Grand Duke Vladimir. AS
soon as the party were seated the predi
cant offered a prayer after which the
choir sang. The pastor. who Is spare
man of severe appearance, made ten
minute address to the young couple,