Evening star., 1907-11-16
ROYAL COUPLE WE'D
IN GORGEOUS STATE
Charles of Bourbon and Prln-
cess of France.
MARRIAGE NEAR LONDON
Special Chapel Was Built for the
Ceremony.
MANY DISTINGUISHED GUESTS
Artists Were Imported From France
for Most of the Decorative
Work.
MANY DISTINGUISHED GUESTS


the manners and customs of the old
French court was presented today at
Wood Norton. when Prince Charles of
Bourbon married to Princess Louise
of France. with ceremonies the pictur-
esqueness and stately magnificence of
which could hardly have been exceeded
were the Duke of Orleans. the owner of
Wood Norton. and the brides brother the
occupant of, instead of pretender to- the
throne of France. About forty members
of roXal families, near relatives of the
briGe or bridegroom, were present. each
bea.ing a name closely identified with the
history of Europe In by-gone centuries,
while among the 200 to 400 other guests
were dipOmatists. representing most of
the nations of the world including the
American ambassador to the court of ST
James. Whitelaw Reid, and Mrs. Reid
and the American ambassador to France
OF mobiles, gathered from all the courts of
Europe.
The civil marriage was performed by the
registrar in st. Mary's Roman Catholic
Church at Evesham, small, corrugated
iron building, at $40 o'clock this morning,
before dozen members of royal families.
including the King of Spain. the Duke of
Orleans and other witnesses. together
with small suites, who were the only spec
tators at this early ceremony. Though In
spite of the attempt to keep it secret
quite a crowd of people gathered In the
vicinity of the little church and heartily
cheered the princess, who is most popular
among the country people.
The religious function was carried out
at noon in temporary chapel specially
erected for the occasion, the Roman Cath
oiic bishop of Birmingham officiating.
Kings and Queens Present.
Shortly before the hour the bride entered
the crowded chapel leaning on the arm
of her brother. the Duke of Orleans, and
heading a procession in which the King
of Spain. the Queen of Spain, the Queen
Of Portugal and other members of royal
families took part.
The bride and bridegroom took up a
position beneath canopy of royal blue
velvet emblaZoned with feur-de-lis and
surmounted by crown all wrought in
gold thread
In accordance with the French custom
there We're no bridesmaids.
Prince Charles of Bourbon. the bride
groom, belongs to the Sicilian branches
of the Bourbons. He is son of the late
Comte Caserta, who a son of King
Ferdinand ii OF Naples. His full title
is Prince Charles Marie Francois D. Ayzize
Pasquale Ferdinand Antoine de Padoue
Francois de Paule Alphonse Andre Ava
limo Tancred He was a widower, having
married in 1901 the infanta of Spain the
Princess of Asturias, who was a sister
~ IA nf SVtotr Sh1 h.6
three children. and died the day after
she gave birth to her only daughter Oc-
tober II 1904 Prince Charles became a
naturaiized Spaniard on his first mar
riage.
Princess Louise of France. the bride,
is the youngest daughter of the Comte
dc Paris, who fought in the civil war on
the northern side, and the Comtesse de
Paris. Louis Philippe, the citizen king
OF France. was the first and last king of
the House of Orleans and the brides
father was his grandson. The Duke of
Orleans, the pretender 10 the throne of
France, is her Oldest brother and the
Queen of Portugal. the Duchess of Aosta
and the Duchess of Guse are her sisters.
The Duke of Montpensier is her youngest
brother.
Prince Charles is thirty-seven years
old and the bride twenty-five.
Great Country Estate.
Wood Norton. the scene of the royal
wedding. is the seat of the Duke of Or
leans. the brides brother 1t is spa
ciOus estate in Warwickshire on the banks
uf the historic River Avon.
hundreds of workmen brought from
France had been engaged for several
weeks in constructing the temporary
chapel for the service and a pavilion for
hauqueting, well smaller houses for
The accommodation of guests.
The chapel, although built for a day
only. Is an imposing and dignfied struc-
ture both within and without. The ma
terial Is wood with cloth covering rep.e-
senting masonry. 1t is of Roman style
and is connected with the house by a
CIulster of the same style, the Vaulted
roof being supported by pilasters The
walls to within six feet OF the floor are
faced with stone blocks. displaying cary
lngs Of the f!eur- dc-lis. The dado Is a drap-
cry of velvet, arranged in festoons each
caught at the top by large white rose
ana headed by chains of smaller roses
The roof is hidden by three folds of vel
Iuin, the center one decorated with f1eur-
de-hs on white ground, and the outer
ones co!ored blue and gold. The chancel
Is decorated in white, with a white altar.
and Is most simple.
Four Days Festivities.
The guests We're seated on gilded chairs
with dais for the royal personages. The
banqueting hall to which the wedding