The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-15

-'''N''''StA' 4toi95 NV lf.-OAe OF thOSc
rarest Of ronanees, love match among
those OF royal blood, was consummated
here to-day. II was the wedding OF
Prince Victor Napoleon, pretender TO
the French throne. and Princess Clemen-
tine. OF Belgium. youngest d<ughter OF
The late King Leopold.
For six years these lovers have been
waiting until the one obstacle TO the con-
summation OF their hopes had been taken
out Of their path. This obstacle was
King Leopold. He ruled his household
with iron hand, and in explosive anger he
declared that no daughter OF his should
eveN marry a Bonaparte He nearly
broke his daughters heart. but she was
brave, and waited and so did the Prince
Victor Napoleon.
When death struck down Leopold. Vie.
tor and Clementine made il known that
wedding bells would soon ring. Il was
charming ceremony that was performed
here to-day. The civil marriage was eel
ehrated in the drawing-room OF the royal
castle, and the religious ceremony in the
chapel of the castle
Distinguished Guests Present.
There was a distinguished gathering
present, including the Dowager Queen
Margherita. the princess OF the Italian
royal house. and the Countess OF Elan
ders. mother OF King Albert OF Belgium.
Behind this love match looms the
shadow Of one aged and courageous fig
ure. whose heart has not been broken
by the tragic vicissitudea of time. This
is the ex-Empress Eugenie, with whom
Prince Victor is a great favorite. and 10
whom she viii bequeath her enormous
wealth, estipated at S33,G0G90. She was
the best friend the lovers had, and she
made frultless trip 10 Brussels in their
behalf hoping TO win over Leopold.
The beuothal OF the princely pair is a
romance. Princess -C1epsentife gave her
heart TO the heir Of th3 Bonaparte dy-
nasty and pretender 10 tie French throne
six years ago. AS pretender he had
little to hope for
II Is true that there is body OF men
in France who still cherish the traditions
Of the Napoleonic regime. To them
Prince Victor is marked out as a man OF
destiny. and for that reason the French
republic declines 10 have him within It's
borders. Prince Victor himself has no
Illusions on the subject For years he
has been an exile in Brussels. living
quietly on his income OF 5000 francs a
year and discountenancing foolish niue
plots into which his adherents have tried
10 drag him.
Falls I'm Love at FOrty-twO.
At the age OF forty-two he genuinely
fell In love with King LeopoId's daughter
Clementine. The pair often met at the
house OF the Countess Of Flanders. moth
er OF the present King OF the Belgians.
Ciementine, unhappy in her home life
and en- bad terms with both Of her par
ents, earnestly desired TO be married 10
a man who had some strength of char
acter, coupled with a simple heart But
King Leopold refused his consent. He
favored the Orleans family. He hated the
Bonspartes. Besides, II did not suit his
policy with the French republic TO have
his daughter married 10 a rOyallst pre-
tender.
The Countess OF Flanders interceded
for them. but Leopold refused to recon-
slider his decision. Then Princess Glenn
entine fell i'll, and the court physicians
told King Leopold that the shattered
nerves of the princess and her continued
were caused by her father's
The court chaplain
also was a champion for the unhappS|
pair, but all 10 no purpose.
The pair met in private houses and in |
the drawing rooms OF the Countess of
Flanders and of the present King But
they never appeared together In public, /
and both were absentees at court.
On the death OF King Leopold the 1
two separated lovers again appeared at 1
court. and pretty soon IL was an |
nOunced that King Albert had given 4
HIS consent to the union. The princess, |
despite her thirty-eight years. is a /
charming and even beautiful woman, /
though Of extreme pallUr and sad. dark /
eyes. Prince Victor, who is now forty 4
eight, is a square built. soldierly man. /
who would bear a strong resemblance /
to the great Napoleon If he did NOT |
wear q big black mustache.