The Lamar register., 1901-02-13
HOLLANDS YOUNG QUEEN is
Welded TO DUKE HENRY

The Hague. Feb. S.-Wilhelmina, the
first ruling Queen of Holland, yester-
day married Duke Henry of Mecklen-
burg -Schwerin. who becomes Prince of
the Netherlands by proclamation in
the court gazette.
The marriage was n series of brill
iantly colored pictures. But the severe
simplicity of the Dutch form of mar
riage, which was followed to the letter
in the civil contract before the minister
of justice Dr. Z. w. A. Cort Van der
Linden) and in the old fashioned relig-
ious service in. Groote Kirk, gave 1t n
democratic spirit. The popular belief
Is that it Is a love match, like that of
Victoria and Albert, and this gives n
romantic coloring to the event which
is generally lacking in royal marriages.
The ceremonies were the same simple
and unritualistic rites of the Reformed
Church by which the humblest OF
Queen Wilhelmina's subjects are mar
ried. The whole spirit of the affair
was plain and democratic, although the
costly gowns and jewels and the
snowy uniforms of distinguished per-
sonages, high officials of the kingdom,
the army and the navy, and represent:
atives of the people in Parliament ana
the municipalities furnished Il regal
stage setting. The venerable pastor
administered to the bride and groom n
caution that their high positions would
not shield them from the common sur
ferings and sorrows of humanity.
Queen Wilhelmina made very win
ming and human bride. She blushed
and became confused over the cere-
monial with the ring, as all brides are
supposed to do, while her happiness
and pride over the enthusiasm of her
people were plainly deeper than n mere
matter of form.
Prince Heinrich was 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 rs saying: "Jah, mcin herr" when
he should simply have replied "Jah."
The scene ns the royal couple stood
with clasped hands before the chaplain
in circle of brilliantly arrayed per-
sonages, including their relatives and
people composing the highest families
of Holland and the neighboring Ger
man principalities. was wonderfully
gorgeous. the masses of variegated col
oring rendering more effective the blue,
gold and white banked up against the
walls of the church. The building it.
self is n cathedral in size. but is as
plain as Quaker meeting house In Its
furnishings.
At II o'clock the marriage party
emerged from the palace to proceed to
the palace of justice. Their appearance
was announced by n cheer which was
heard for squares away. Queen VIII
helmina passed down the steps on the
arm of the uniformed duke, with her
great white wedding dress sweeping
behind her. and the queen mother in
purple and the Grand Duchess Maria
and half dozen ladies' of the court
following in groups, the generals and
ndmirals. fairly cleaning with gold
lace and medals. standing at salute
on both sides, making truly regal pic
ture.
The ponderous gilded coach. present
ed by the people of Amsterdam, was
drawn by eight horses. with orange
colors.
The civil ceremony in the palace of
Justice was very brief. The bride and
groom. the queen mother and the moth
er of the groom and six witnesses in
scribed their names upon the official
document. The ministers of justice first
asked the mothers, according to the