New-York tribune., 1901-02-15
THE MARRIAGE AT MADRID
fhiNtESS OF THE ASTURIAS. SISTER
OF KING OF SPAIN. BECOMES
BRIDE OF PRINCE CHARLES
OF BOURBON
OF BOURBON.

Madrid. Feb 1i-In the chapel Of the Royal Pal
ace in the presence Of the royal family and all the
ar1stocracy and officials of Spain Dons Maria de-
las Mercedes de Bourbon Hapsburg. Princess Of
the Asturias was today welded to Prince Charles
OF Bourbon.
tranquility. The thousands ot spectators in the
neghborhood OF the palace and filling the south
grand court within tho railinEs orderly
The weather this morning was perfect. The city
was absolutely calm. hut there were no decorations
and no lags bunting were displayed. except on
official buildings The people attired in festival
dress
The civil authorities had resicned their powers
10 the military. and cavalry regiments replaced the
civic guards and patroled the streets
Shortly after 10 O'Clock the guests began assem-
bling at the palace, mounting the grand staircase
and traversing the lonS corridor lined each side
with halherders in red coats. white trousers and
black lesgings, 20 the entrance Of the chapel where
the palace guards escorted each person 10 a proper
scat. Every arrangement was accurately made.
There was no croWdinE and iostlinc.
The diplomatic tribune VAS first flled Among the
early comers were Bellamy Storer the United States
Minister, and Mrs. Storer. :. 5. Sickes the Secre-
tary of tho United States legation. and " sum-
mers. the United States Vice-Consul-CereraI at
Barcelona. Each arrival. whether man or woman
added color 10 the spectacle. which. when the
chapel finally filed. brilliant the dresses
OF the court ladies and the uniforms OF officers and
diplomatists.
Just AS the cathedral clock chime6 i the strains
of the Brosci march pealed from the organ. while
the brideRroom's party entered and took seats he
fore the altar between the tribunes on each side
Prince Charles wore the simple uniform Of a cap
tain OF artillery. but displayed Order Of the
Golden Fleece The Duke OF Calabria wore similar
uniform covered with Spanish and Italian decora-
tons. Prince Gennaro in the uniform of a
cadet and the Count az Caserta in ordinary evening
dress. The Countess wore cream colored court
-w-l h.- al~-1
heved with head and neck wear of white lace
After moments waiting the more imposing pro-
cession OF the bride arrived II was preceded by
all the court officials. who advanced amid sound
ing OF trumpets. King Alfonso. dressed in the
simple uniform Of a cadet with a small sword AT
his side led the way. He walked erect and firmly
his healthy appearance giving denial TO the rUmors
recently circulated that ne In poor health
Having kneeled at the altar he turned salute
the diplomats. Then he kneeled again and bowed
in the direction Of his grandmother who watched
the ceremony from private tribune in the Queens
chapel
Then came the Queen Regent and the other mem |
bers Of the royal family. In the first before
the atsr stood the Count Of Caserta. Prince /
Charles. the Princess Of the Asurias and the Queen
Regent: in the second the Countess Of Caserta the
King and Archduke Eugene; I'm the third. the Duke /
and Duchess Of Calabria and the Infantas. and I'm
the fourth, Prince Gennaro and his sisters The /
Queen Regent. in a robe Of light cream. the !
crown. The Princess Of the Asurias was in white |
The marriage ceremony lasted about half an |
hour. Mass followed said by Cardinal Sancha. /
Archbishop OF Toled6 Primate Of Spain. Assisting
him were Cardinal Casajares. Archbishop 90 Nala- :
dod; Cardinal Herrera. Archbishop Of Santiago de /
Compostela. and Cardinal casana, Bishop Of BarCe- !
Iona. Also attending were the Bishop of Madrid 4
the Bishop Chaplain OF the Place de Sion and sey-
eral other prelates. church dignaries and cardi-
nals. The celebrated low mass. there !
being no singing, though the organ performed (
solemn sacred selections. including written FOR
the occasion by Zubicurre
As the bride and bridegroom knelt upon cushions I
touching the steps OF the altar a white. satin 4
bordered veil three yards long and half a ward wide
was spread over the head and shoulders Of the /
bride, reaching the shoulders Of bride |
groom. hut leaving his head uncovered. while ac-
cording To the Spanish custom. a white satin rib |
bon. called yoke. tied about the neck of tho
couple. the knot being made between them. signl-
flying their union.
The simple Catholic ritual OF marriage did not /
differ IN any detail from that uniting humhIast
members of the faith except that the ritual was /
read from specially printed book. Wedding rings !
OF great value and unique workmanship were ex- |
changed Another custom observed was that of
giving thirteen coins n the bride by the bride