The age-herald., 1901-02-08
W|[HELM|NA'
 MARRIAGE WAS
 HAPPY AFFAIR All Holland Came to The Hague
 to Participate WAS 4 HUGE FAMILY AFFAIR Celebrations of the Event Held Throughout Queens Country THE DUKE WAS SLIGHTLY NERVOUS The Bride Flushed and Became Con- fused Over the Ceremonial With I the Ring, as All Brides Are kss,aS Supposed to Do.
Celebrations of the Event Held Throughout Queens Country
THE DUKE WAS SLIGHTLY NERVOUS

The Hague, February 7.-Queen Wilhel- minas marriage to Duke Henry of Meek lenberg- -Schwerin, who today became Prince Heinrich of the Netherlands, was d huge family affair." All Holland that could came to The Hague to participate. Those who stayed at their homes in other cities and villages of the kingdom celebrated with parades, decorations and banquets.
 Never was seen a more beautiful and happy wedding. The popular belief Is that it Is a love match, like that of Victoria and Albert and this gives romantic col- bring to the event which is generally lack ing In royal marriages.
 The ceremonies were the same simple and unritualistic rites of the Reformed Church by which the humblest of Queen Wilhelminas subjects married. The whole spirit of the affair was plain and democratic, although the costly gowns and jewels and the showy uniforms of distin- guished personages, high officials of the Kingdom, the army and the navy, and rep resentatives of the people in Parliament and the municipalities furnished a regal stage setting.
 The venerable pastor administered to the bride and groom caution that their high positions would not shield them from the common sufferings and sorrows of hu- manity.
 Queen Wilhelmina made a very winning and human bride. She blushed and be- came, confused over the ceremonial 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 a 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 as saying: "Jah, mein herr," when he should simply have replied "Jah." A Beautiful Scene.
 The scene as the royal couple stood with elapsed hands before the chaplain in a circle of brilliantly arrayed personages in- cluding their relatives and persons compos- ing the highest families of Holland and the neighboring German municipalities, was wonderfully gorgeous, the masses of varie- gated coloring rendering more effective the blue, gold and white banked up against the walls of the church. The building itself is a cathedral in size, but is plain Quaker meeting house in its furnishings.
 Tonight the populace is like a multitude of happy children. Thousands are swarm ing through the principal streets, which are nearly impossible, blowing horns, singing the national hymn following the bands and smashing hats and lanterns. Aged house wives and their husbands from the provinces are joining hands with stylish city folk and dancing to the music of street organs. There is considerable mild hilarity inspired by wine, but no offensive drunk enness Sailors fishermen and farmers tla;r nd a fpuy ders are mixing with the crowds.
 Before the wedding procession entered the church the congregation arose and the choir of 100 voices sang the words of the sixteenth and seventeenth verses of the first chapter of Ruth; the blue curtains were held aside by the court officials and to this music the party slowly marched down the aisle. . . Queen, in white, silver and green, heavy diamond tiara on her head, rich necklace of diamonds her neck, with big dia- mond brooch her bosom and white gloves to the elbows. In both hands she held bouquet of Lilies of the Valley and green, red and long white satin ribbons.
 Groom Wore Admiral"s Uniform.
 The groom wore the uniform of Dutch admiral and carried his chapeau.
 More noble couples walked behind
 When the party entered the chancel the Queen and Duke Henry took the two central cAi his right a red-faced, stout dowager, gowned in white satin trimmed with brown fur and embroidered with gold. On her right sat the Grand Duke Vladimir of Rus sia, a tall bald man, with gray side whiskers, resembling the Emperor of Aus tria The bridegroom's brother, tall Ger man-loolang prince, with light blonde moustache, also in uniform, sat on the Queens right. On his right was the Queen s mother z Both mothers wore diamond tiaras
 The court chaplain, Dr. Wander Vlier, rose and omsred a long prayer in earnest tones Then the choir sang Dutch hymn: "doo blesss YOU: blessed De your earthly and eter- nal portion"
 The Queen bowed her head low and the chaplain addressed the bridal couple for ter minutes earnestly and solemnly. The only sound which marred the impressive scene was the sharp clicking of photograph cam eras in the press gallery facing the royal sextef, all of whom noticed the disturb ance and looked annoyed. The duke fidget- ted nervously and blushed under the gaze of the congregation, hundreds of opera classes hedpa tiirnAd in his dirHntinp