Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-02-07
Marriage OF Queen wilheImina.

tai today presented the appearance of
a huge banquet. The houses and the
streets were smothered in festoons and
arches composed of the Dutch tri.color,
orange peBnanis, wreaths of evergreen,
white ribbons, artificial flowers, orange
blossoms, and even oranges which were
hung amoog the greens. The Hague,
which is the richest city of its size in
she world, INDICATED its ancient repu-
tation for lavishness. 1t was cold,
clear day, with The sky transparent
blue. The route of the wedding party,
a half mile long, between the palace
and the church, was marked by arches
of white and blue lattice work erected
at frequent intervals. The arches sup
ported festoous of evergreen and 10 the
middle of each was huge bow of white
Practically all Holland came
to see Queen Wilhelmina married. Peo'
pie began to line the route TO the
church at daybreak. All were dressed
in the gsyest colors and every one
wore a badge Of orange ribbon often
tied about a small portrait CT the Queen.
Over the entrance of the church there
was gorgeous canopy OF Easter lilies
and red velvet, with gold fringe, the
cloth being embroidered with the arms
of Holland. The vestibule was hung
with rich blue cloth On which were
worked yellow heraldic lions, and
there were similar blue and yellow
hangiDgs throughout the church. About
the walls were massed palms and ferns.
aud every pillar was bultressed with
them. Palms were also banked In
front of the pulpit. The organ was
smoothered 10 lilies aud other white
flowers end over all were lsid wreatbs
OF orange blossoms. The centre piece
was an immense bridal bouquet 10 q
glass vase. The seats to be occupied
by the Queen and her bstrothed laced
each other before the altar. At the
end of this was table for the minister
and upon the table were Bible and the
wedding ring resting on velvet mat.
At eleven o'clock the Minister of JUS
tice, who is master OF ceremonies, as
sembled six marriage witnesses, all
chief statesmen of the kingdom 10 the
White Room OF the palace. The ladies
of honor, the grand chambelain and
others of the royal suite; Duke Henry
with his father and mother and the
Queen mother, with her ladies, pre-
ceeded to the White Room where the
legal. formalities of the civil marriage
we're speedily coDclud d, and at ll:46,
tue royal progress toward the church
began.
The procession was headed by a
guard OF fifty mounted Hussars. Fol
lowing the Hussars came the carriages
containing the visiting Princes and
Processes and then came the splendid
gold royal coach drawn by 8 horses and
accompanied by outridders and 10 which
sat Queen Wilhelmins, Duke Henry
aud Queen Emma. BehiDd the coach
were eight attendants on foot and the
military chief OF the palace and others
on horseback. Fifty mounted artillery
mea brought up the rear ofthe wedding
procession. The streets and interven-
ing squares were crowded with Dsople
who cbeered wildly. AS the Queen
and Duke Henry entered the church
the choir sang wedding anthem. The
attendants of the Qleen and the Duke
parted at the chancel taking places on
rich carpet 10 front of the choir. The
royal couple took their seats, facing one
another, and the minister stepped for
ward between them completing singu-
lArly simple and beautiful picture. The
service was conducted according to the
ritual of the Dutch Reformed Church.
The Queens responses we're clear
aud distinct, though her cheeks were
pink with excitement. OF the congre-
cation about one.third were ladies, all
dressed In white or in pale blue. After
the couple had bssn joined 10 wedlock,
DR.. Van Der Filler, the officiating clergy
man, m ade short but feeling address
Tnen the organ pealed the wedding
march, anu cannon 10 the square out
side fred salute OF one hundred and
one guns. The clergyman's sermon
was from the text, "Rsise upon Us the
light of Thy face" He said that this
prayer for light supposes darkness, and
that the reverses Of life are spared no.
body. The rings we're then exchanged,
after which the preacher presented the
couple with Bible, and offered his
congratulations. The wedding party,
headed by the bride aud groom, then
left the church and returned to the
palace. Queen Wilhelmiua and her hus.
band riding alone In the royal coach.
TIE enthusiasm of the crowd in the
streets was indiscribable. Arriving a.
the palace the wedding party again as.
court fluctuations" was held.
Mr.. Stanford Newell, U. s. Minister
to the Netherlands, congratulated the
bride and groom on behalf of President
Mckinley.
Duke HeDry's father, the Grand
Duke of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. wss
not able TO attend the wedding csre-
mony being confined to bed with an at
tack OF measles.
The presents received by the royal
couple filed room OF the palace.
There were many elegant gifts but the
simpler offerings from the Dutch farm
ers and fishermen pleased the Queen
most. Queen Wilhelmina bestows on
her husband an annual interest OF fifty
million GU den and appoints him an es-
cert of 1000 of troops. Ia both the
civil aid religious ceremonies the
Queen promised to obey and serve her
husband but the promise to live where
her husband might choose to live was
omitted, while in the marriage contract
1t is stated that the Duke will not be
allowed to manage his wi e's property.
1t is also stipulated 10 the contract that
she obeys az wife, aud not as Queen.
Reports show q greatly increased death rate
from throat and lung troubles, due TO the
prsvAleDce Of Group, pneumonis and grip.