Evening star., 1907-11-17
PRINCE CHARLES WEEDS
DESCENDANTS OF FRENCH ROY
Atty JOIN HANDS.

i'pEifpN, November 1b.-N Ood Norton.
the English home of the Duke of Or
leans. which originally was nothing but
hunting Eox. but in recent years was
transformed into a castle, where the pre-
tender to the throne of France held court.
welcomed Fl distinguished company today
at the wedding of Prince Charles OF Bour-
bon and Princess Louise of Orleans. True.
there was bat one recognized king pres
ent but more than half of the guests
were related to the royal houses of Eu-
rope. while others were representative or
the courts and governments of France.
there being OF course. a few exceptions
In this royal gathering.
The religious ceremony to which this
company had been invited took place in
an improv.sed chapel. built of canvas,
but SO cleverly painted that 1t could hard
ly be distinguished from the gray stone
house which 1t adjoined. The interior of
the chapel likewise had the appearance
Of a permanent structure, and easily
might have been mistaken for one of the
old Catholic churches which abound in
southern Europe. The ceiling was painted
sky b,ue, with stars set therein, and the
from imitation rafters hung the banners
and flags of France and the house of
Bourbon. The altar was of white marble
and was decorated with white carnations
and lilies, the family emblem.
Millions in Presents.
There were no bridesmaids.
The elaborate ceremonial was concluded
with the celebration of mass. and then
came the old-time ceremony of kissing the
hand OF the bride. the princess. one after
another filing past, each bowling and kiss
ing her hand.
The wedding breakfast was served in
two sections, the members of the royal
families and relatives of the bride and
bridegroom breakfasting in the banquet
ting room. while the rest of the guests
gathered in the far-famed museum situ-
ated in the grounds of Wood Norton.
The wedding presents came from all
parts of the world and mainly consisted
of jewels. They represented. according to
estimate between 81. 500. 600 and IS. .G0OOOJ.
and a large number Of detectives, foreign
as well as British, have been on duty
night and day for some time past In order
to protect the collection. and today
large force OF police IN uniform was
drafted to the ne shborhood to watch over
the safety of the princes and prlncesSes
occupying the widely scattered premises
of Wood Norton. The latter is little more
than country gentlemans house In size,
SO the guests were distributed over the
country. in some instances being housed
in haylofts and outhouses. which had been
transformed for the occasion by skilled
hands into comfortable dOmitories.
Reid Was Conspicuous.
The chapel is connected with the castle
by an arched walk over which the brida!
possession passed. The Duke of Orleans
led with the bride and meeting at the altar
the bridegroom. who was attended by
King Alfonso of Spain. The score of other
royal personages in attendance included
the Queens of Spain and Portugal, Prin-
cess Henry of Battenburg and Grand
Duke Vladimir. They were followed by
members of the diplomatic corps, including
the American ambassador. Whilelaw Reid,
and Mrs. Reid. There was wonderful
display of gorgeous costumes and jewels.
and the uniforms of the various officials
present were as diverse as they We're bril-
liant. Ambassador Reid and The Swiss
minister were the only guests who wors
plain black evening dress without decora-
tiOnS.
The service was that Of the Roman
Catholic Church. with choral accompani
ment by an orchestra and sCloiSts from
the Paris opera The Bishop of Birming-
ham celebrated mass and b slowed the
pontifical blessing, the remainder of the
service being performed by the dukes
d
in which he referred to the happy gather
ing OF so many members of the dukes
family. which. he said, unfortunately.
could not occur in France
Prince a Chauffeur.
After the ceremony a wedding breakfast
was served a the castle. at which the
Duke of Orleans and King Alfonso pro-
posed the usual toasts
Wood Norton. having been Surrounded
by police, only cardholders, numbering
less than go. obtained admission to the
ceremonies. but a.ong the three miles of
road leading to EveSham. the nearest
town to Wood Norton, and in the town
itself, which was gaily bedecked. the royal
visitors received noisy welcome from
the people. who look upon the family of
the Duke of Orleans as they would upon
one of the great Eng .ish families
During the afternoon the duke received
the French journalists in kingly fashion.
speaking "a few words to each of them
and then becoming plain country gentle
man again, jumping into his motor car
winch lie himself drove to the station
with King Alfonso as d passenger.