Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-31
Prince Albert of Belgium and representa-
tives of all the royal houses OF Europe.
King and Princess Cheered.

King and Princess Cheered.
Closing this dazzling array of princes ap
peared a coach in which were seated King
Alfonso. his witness, Prince Carlos, and the
kings little nephew, Prince Alfonso, the
actual heir to the throne of Spain.
AS the kings coach appeared it was
greeted by a great roar, while the multi
tude wildly waved handkerchiefs, fans ana
parasols. His majesty could plainly be seen
smiling and bowling to the popular greet
ings He wore the uniform of field mar
shal, his hat surmounted by sweeping
white plume. Around his coach was
cavalcade of royal guards, heralds, equer-
ries and pages holding back the enthusias-
tic populace.
Immediately following the royal coach
came the brides party. forming another
glittering array of coaches, bearing the
lords and ladies-in-w waiting and the princes
and princesses of the house of BattenberS,
and finally came the famed mahogany
coach with the radiant bride Princess Ena,
attended by her mother and Queen Marie
Christina.
The appearance of the princess. who was
about to become their queen, aroused the
people to the highest pitch of emotion. Men
and women cheered and shouted friendly
salutations, while others from the balconies
of the houses along the route showered
flowers on the princess and let loose hun
dreds of pigeons carrying long, bright
streamers The bride looked most charm
tinued ovations.
As the cortege entered the Puerto del Sol
the picture presented was strikingly beau
tiful. with the buildings ablaze with color,
the streets packed by dense mass of hu-
manity, the balconies crowded with people,
the swarming windows, house tops and
trees, and in contrast the stately royal
eavalcade defling slowly amid the enthu-
siastic clamor of the populace.
On reaching the chamber of deputies the
cCrtege came in sight of the Church of st.
eJronimo ell Real, which was magnifcentiy
adorned for the ceremony. Over the en-
trance was suspended an immense canony
of red and yellow velvet, embroidered with
Spanish escutcheons and supported on gold
tipped lances. Awaiting the bridal party
stood lines of halberdiers and palace guards.
The massed bands played the Spanish
national anthem as the bridal couple with
measured steps passed within the church.
Scene In the Church.
The interior of the church presented
scene of rare beauty as the royal couple
entered. The great arches and naves. usu-
ally somber, were lighted up by thousands
of electric lights, which lined the cornices
and framed the marble altar with an aure-
ole Of light At the left of the altar iose
a throne upon a dais. over which hung
ajestic canopy of light silk exQuisitely
wrought with gold embroideres. AT the
Spain. Two richly giIded arm chairs CT
marvellous workmanship occupied the dajs,
on which also rested two soft, silken clsn-
IONS upon which the bridal couple anelt.
Immediately facing the throne were giided
divans on which were seated Queen ChIis-
tina, Princess Henry of Battenberg the
infantas, the princes and the mem2ers OF
the Batternberg and other royal families.
Beside them were the foreign princes
archdukes and grand dukes, In their richest
court uniforms, with the prineesses and
duchesses in marvellous court gowns, with
trains four yards long, corsages and hair
blazing with Jewels and with filmy white
mantillas floating lightly over the head and
shoulders. mantilias being rigidly required.
Mr.. Whitridge, the American special en-
voy. who was in evening dress, sat among
the other enyoys, and Minister and Mrs.
Collier were seated with the resident dipio-
mats. The wife of the American minister
who was the only American woman present
wore a Partisan court gown of white lace
over white satin, embroidered with silver
roses Mr.. Whitridge and Mr.. Collier were
conspicuous, owing to the fact that they
did not wear uniforms. The ministers of
the crown and the highest officers of state
sat further back, and then came the nobil-
ity, the grandees. the Knights of the Gold
en- Fleece and the field marshals, each in
their distinctive uniforms, their breasts
scintillating with high orders, the silken
vestments of the ENJOYS of China, Persia,
additional touch of oriental color.
AS the royal couple entered the assem-
blage arose. and 200 choristers intoned a
professional hymn. The king looked calm,
happy and slightly pale, as usual. Across
the breast of his field marshal's uniform
was the blue and white sash of the Order
of Charles III. and on his breast sparkled
the Orders of the Garter and the Golden
Fleece.
The bride entered with her mother,
brother and Queen Christina. the silvered
embroidery of her wedding dress being re-
flected by the myriad of lights until the
bride seemed to be robed in Jewels Her
VEIL slightly drawn aside, revealed her
clear. fine features. with cheeks full of
youthful color.
The Ceremony.
The king advanced to meet the bride. and
they stood together as the marriage service
begaE. The ceremony was performed with
all the impressiveness of the Roman ritual,
Cardinal Sancha archbishop of Toledo,
vobed In crimson silk. officiating, assisted
by a 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, ter
minated with the nuneio pronouncing the
Nope's benedictfon on the newly married
couple and the chanting of 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 Vic
toria.'