The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-06-01
ALFONSO RECEIVES BRIDE
AMID SCENE OF SPLENDOR
Continued from First Paae)

-~~~~~
the people to the highest pitch of emo
ton, men and women cheered and shout
ed friendly solutions, while others from
the balconies of the houses along the
route showered flowers on the Princess
and let loose hundreds of pigeons carry
ing long bright streamers. The bride
looked most charming and graciously ac-
Snowledged the continued oyations AS
the cortege entered the Puerto del Sol,
the picture presented was strildngly beau
tiful with the building ablaze with color,
the streets packed by dense mass Of
humanity, the balconies crowded with
people, the swarming windows, house
stops and trees, In contrast, the stately
royal eavaleade defling slowly amid the
enthusiastic clamor of the populace.
Church Maqnifcently Adorned.
On reaching the Chamber of Deputies,
the cortege came In sight of the church
of ST. Jeronimo Eel Real, which was mag
nificently adorned for the ceremony. Over
the entrance was suspended an immense
canopy of red and yellow velvet en-
broidered with Spanish escutcheons and
supported on gold tipped lances. Await
ing the bridal party stood lines of
halberders and police guards.
The massed bands played the Spanish
national anthem as the bridal couple,
with measured steps passed within the
church.
The interior of tho church presented a
scene of rare beauty as the royal couple
entered. The great arches and naves,
usually sombre. were lighted up by thou
sands of electric lights, which lined the
cornices and framed the marble altar with
an aureoe of light At the left of the
altar arose a throne upon a dais, over
t,rI,F ,I, ae-t4n of fah
silk, exquisitely wrought with gold EN-
broideries. At the back of the throne
famed the arms of Spain. Two richly
gilded arm chairs Of marvellous work
manshp occupied the das, on which also
rekte1 two soft, slken cushions upon
which the bridal couple knelt.
Immediately facing the throne were
gjlded divans on which were seated Queen
Christina, Princess Henry of Battenberg,
the Infantas the princes and the MEM
bers of the Battenberg and other royal
families. Besides them were the foreign
princes, archdukes and grand-dukes In
fheir richest court uniforms, with the
Iirincesses and duchesses In marvellous
dourt gowns with trains four yards long,
cprsages and hair blazing with jewels and
With flmy white mantllas floating bright
~ over their heads and shoulders in man.
tillas being rigldly required.
americans IN me OnuTCn,
Mr. Whltrldge, the American special
envoy who was in evening dress, sat
among the other ENJOYS and Mr.. Col
ler and Mrs Collier were seated with the
resident diplomats. The wife of the
American minister. who was the only
American woman present wore Partisan
court gown of white lace over white satin,
embroidered with silver roses. Mr. Whit
ridge and Mr. Collier were conspicuous,
10 faa ,a4 hasy a Wp r
uniforms. The ministers of the crown
and the highest Officers of state sat fur
ther back and then came the nobility,
the grandees, the Knights of the Gold
en- Fleece, and the field marshals, each
in their distinctive uniforms, the silken
vestments Of the ENJOYS of China, Per-
STA, Siam and Morocco, lending the scene
additional touch of Oriental color
As the royal couple entered the assem-
blage arose. and two hundred choristers
intoned a professional hymn. The king
looked calm, happy and slightly pale, as
usual. Across the breast of his field mar
shals uniform was the bIue and white
sash of the Order of Charles ILL., and on
his breast sparlled the orders of the Car
ter and of the Golden Fleece.
The bride entered with her mother,
brother and Queen Christina, the silvered
embroidery Of her wedding dress being
reflected by the myriad of light until
the bride seemed to be ROBBED IN 1eWels.
Her veil, slightly drawn aside. revealed
her clear, fine features with cheeks full
of youthful color.
Advances to Meet Bride.
The king advanced to meet the bride.
and they stood together as the marriage
service began The ceremony was per-
formed with all the impressiveness OF the
Roman ritual, Cardinal Sancha, arch
bishop OF Toledo, ROBBED in crimson SILK
officiating, assisted by special nuncio OF
/ the Pope and the highest dignitaries of
the church. with scores of acolytes and
incense burners The ceremony which
lasted nearly an hour, terminated with
the nuncio pronouncing the Popes bene-
diction on the newly married couple and
the chantngAo the tie Deum."
AS the king and Princess Victoria were
pronounced man and wife the news was
signaled to the waiting crowds, and all
Madrid broke into frantic demonstrations
of Joy. while cannon doomed and church
bells chimed
Entering the royal coach the king and
queen of Spain returned to the palace
amid scenes OF the widest enthusiasm,
the throngs shouting long live Queen
Victoria"