New-York tribune., 1906-05-25
GOES TO MEET BRIDE.
King Alfonso Starts for Frontier
Madrid IN Gala attire.

Madrid, May 24.-This city is fast assuming an
aspect Of feverish expectancy as the day for the
royal nuptials approaches. King Ahonso's depart
ure for the frontier to-day 70 meet his bride
the first event Of the elaborate Official programme
The Puerto del Sol and other centres present a
scene Of intense animation tonight with crowds
Of provincials In picturesque costumes. Throughout
the day the streets were dlled with arriving troops
sailors and marines. with bands and banners, COM
ing to greet the royal couple Among the arrivals
were one thousand sailors from warships at Carta-
gena, who loudly cheered they swung
through the main thoroughfares.
The King this morning drove to the railroad sta
tion in open coach, seated beside the Queen
mother and surrounded by retinue OF court
chamberlainA His majesty wore the blue uniform
Of field marshal. with broad, red sash and white
military cap, topped by waving plunes. He smiled
aniably he saluted his enthusiastic subjects.
The royal train sumptuously appointed The
in which Princess Ena will be received was
strewn with white roses lilies and chrysanthe-
NUNS. A large number Of ministers and glitter
ing array OF military officers accompanied the
royal party to the frontier. The track lined
by soldiers, and crowds Of country folk gathered
at the stations and gave ovations to the King.
The King will arrive at Irun at daylight on
Friday morning and the bride will reach there an
hour later. The station at Irun is elaborately
festooned and decorated with Spanish and British
flags.
Spanish peasants, playing flutes and tambourines
and dressed in the quaint local costumes. will
welcome the bride, the municipality will offer her
homage and regiment Of the Castilian Guard will
act her military escort.
The royal train VIII return TO Madrid at 5 o'clock
on Friday morning, arriving at the Pardo Palace
at $50 Friday night special railroad station,
hung with tapestries and displaying the royal
arms. has been erected near the palace. Thence
the Royal Halberdiers Will conduct the princess to
the Pardo Palace. where she win await the mar
rlage ceremony.
Prior TO his departure King Alfonso inspected
the arrangements at the Church Of San Jeronimo
and expressed himself highly pleased. The in
terror is richly decorated with tapestries, en-
broidered with gold, and carpeted with crimson
velvet, edged with gold Twenty-Five hundred
electric lights have been installed amid the forest
Of candelabra to give dazzling brightness to the
appointments.
The King has changed the programme so tina t
the signing Of the wedding contract will occur in
the church monastery. instead Of at the Pardo
Palace
The official programme, issued to-day, gives the
details Of the reception of the princes grand dukes
and ENJOYS on May 90, including the Americans
The latter will be escorted to the Pino-Hermoso
Palace by a detachment of Iancers. The gove,u-
ment has assigned Senior Oi4da, son of the ex-
Spanish Minister at Washington, and Lieutenant
Colonel de Monteverde, the military attache Of
Spain at Washington. to be ades-de-canp Of Mr.
Whitridge, the American envoy.
Cardinal Sancho, Archbishop of Toledo has besn
officially designated TO perform the marriage The
choir VIII consist Of two hundred voices
The street decorations aro rapidly being COM
peted superb arch spans the avenue leading to
the royal palace and scores Of tribunes are going
up IN the streets which are lined with masts
topped with flags and bunting making the ave
nues long vtstas of bright colors
FoAowlng is the provisional general programme
OF events from next Tuesday to the close OF the
wedding festivities
May 29ArTtval and reception foreign princes and a
May SO-Ofcal signing of marriage agreement M the
San JeronimO Church Monastery 0' '"'
M9y Si-MarFiage ceremony at San Jeronimo Church
June Gala banquet royal palace
June 2-Flower battle and gala REPRESENTATIVE a. the
opera o. 0I'eseiI'a''on at thS
June S-Beiisons feast and gala ball at the palace
and departure of foreign princes ''"ouS coItes0
June 6-Banquet the palace in honor op .b o,.ho-,
ties. + a. 'o''oi OF ths authoIi-
June s-ReceptIon the palace and hall a. ,ba oDoo
6ouse; departure of the King and Queen for I
Face Ior honeymoon OF two weeks; the royal conI
going 70 San Sebastian for the sunrner - -ple Iale