Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-01-20
Something Of Remarkable Union
That Made His Wife Queen
In All But Name.
A NEW HEIR TO THE THRONE.
Belgian Jonitor's Daughter Who 10
Now the Baroness Naughsn--Iiow
She Captiyated the King

~ RCSSELS, Jan. l0-I can now
X supply further details than have
ID yet been printed concerning tho
amazing marriage OF King Leo
pold--detars OF which can personally
vouch for the correctness. But IL Is
evidently going to be impossible to get
an authentic photograph OF the bride.
II any picture Of her has been taken,
tho negatives have been carefully de-
stroyed, and every effort has been made
20 prevent any one from getting a snap
shot IT can be taken FOR granted that
any photo Of her published Is fake.
a WOMAN FRIEND.
For some two years or more 1t has
been known that the king has had
woman friend living close to his Lac
ken palace, a captive OF his amorous
bow and spear whom he met at the
baths OF Gasiein whittier his majesty
goes every year for a cure. The lady
gave herself out as an American, n
widow named Vaughan, and King Leo
pold became so infatuated that when
he left the lady went to Brussels too.
Although every effort was made at Cas-
tein to Keep things quiet. Leopold Il's
love affair was very well known.
HER INFLUENCE GREW.
Returned to the capital the clever wo-
mans influence grew every day more
powerful with her Royal lover, and AZ
she was firm against all other pro-
posals, his majesty determined To marry
her In this. 1t is said, he was partly
Influenced by desire to be revenged on
hits daughters Cor the law case brought
by them 10 obtain possession OF their
mothers dowry, and partly by a wish
to punish both Princess Louise Of Cos
burg and Princess Stephanie the for
ner for leaving her husband. Prince
Philip. and the latter for marrying
Count Lonyay. SO about a year ago a
very private marriage took place In
the private chapel of the Laeken pail
ace where two aldes-de-cainp were the
only witnesses, When the king ex-
pressed his commands for the cere-
mony to the court chaplain this ecclesi-
astlc was much perturbed. not know
ing exactly on which side his duty lay.
but Conslgnor Goosens, the Cardinal
Archbishop of Malines, remembering
that the king had always stood by the
Catholic Church gave him permission
20 perform the wedding ceremony. and
his majesty King Leopold III of Bel
GUM and Madame Vaughan were duly
united in the bonds OF holy wedlock.
THE REASON WHY.
An interesting light Is thus thrown
upon the reasons why Princess Clem-
entine left home last winter for the
Riviera, which was not altogether exs
planned by her wish to wed Prince Vic-
tor Napoleon. 1t seems that one even-
Ing looking at the windows OF tina
apartments occupied by the late queen,
she perceived light In them and imme-
diately made Inquiries rs TO the reason,
these rooms having been closed since
the queen died. After some difficulty
she learned that they were being pre-
pared for use by the kings orders. Fill
ed with uncomfortable suspicious, she
sent To beg an audience OF the king,
and found that the apartments were
being prepared for the use Of Madame
Vaughan, whose constant appearance
In the private grounds OF Laeken had
already prevented the princess from U.s.
ing them. A stormy scene cnsued
which resulted In the princess leaving
Belgium for several months. Whether
the king told his daughter that he was
actually about TO marry Madame
Vaughan viii probably never be known,
but the ceremony took place immediats-
ly after the princess left, and the new
wife entered into possession Of tho
apartments lately occupied by the late
queen. while awaiting the alterations
10 greater magniticence which are be-
ing carried out at Laeken.
HOW THE KING KNEW.
Another point that Is only known to
the two most interested people is how
the story OF Madame Vaughan's birth
WAS made known To the king. Though
calling herself the widow OF an Amer1-
can. she is actually the daughter OF a
caretaker at Louvain and--which places
the Socialist party IN quaint position
is the niece of the Socialist mem Der 20
the chamber Of deputies for Louvain.
The king has created his new wife n
baroness. and-as readers Will already
have learned-she recently gave birth
to a fine healthy little baby boy. In
itself that would BE- perhaps OF Slight
consequence, were the marriage really
morganatic, "a has been stated. But
as a matter Of fact, when the Belgian
Constitution was drawn up, though all
sorts of provisos were arranged to hedge
round the nobility OF princes and
princesses. no thought was taken OF
the king, yho 1t may be presumed. was
thought above the weakness OF wishing
to introduce any but royal bloot Into
the dynasty,
MARRIAGE Is LEGAL.
The marriage Ia, therefore. perfectly
legal, and Baroness Vaughan Is In
reality queen Of the Belgians. Though
perhaps II may depend on the kings
good pleasure TO raise this lady to the
rank of crowned queen. there Is no
doubt In the minds OF Belgian legal
authorities that the new little son IL
the rightful heir 20 the Belgian crown
Everything now hangs on his life but
there is every prospect os his pu;t;ns
his cousins. Prince Alberts nose out OF
Joint definitely. That is saying nothing
Of the fact that the king may have
other sons, for he Is very we'll preserved
and virile despite his years. II is not
difficult 20 guess the indignation and
impoSent wrath OF the house.