The Washington herald., 1917-03-13
YOUR WEDDING DAY
And the Famous Men and Women Who
Kave Shared 1t.
March 13-Arthur, Duke Of Connaught
and Louise MarKaret Of Prusaln.
BY MARY MARSHALL.

March 13-Arthur, Duke Of Connaught
and Louise Margaret OF Prussin.
Thirty-eight years ago today a wedding
occurred in England the splendor and
brilliance Of which eclipsed any royal
wedding which had occurred for many a
day. The bride was Louise Margaret. the
third daughter of Prince Frederick
Charles. of Prussia, known as THE Red
Prince" a nephew of William l.. then
emperor, and a cousin of the present
Kaiser. The bridegroom was Arthur,
Duke of Connaught, younger brother Of
Prince Albert, who became Edward VII.
1t is hard for us to realize now the close
feeling that existed between the royal
house of Prussia and that of England OF
that time. 1t would have been treason
in the eyes of Queen Victoria who by
birth and marriage was so strongly con-
nected with various royal houses of Ger
many to have suggested any but the
most friendly relations between those
two countries. Hence when Louise Mar
garet came to be the wife of Victoria's s
third son there was the greatest elation
both among the English people and in
the royal family. If there was any grow
ing feeling of disapproval of the tying
of so many bonds of affection between
England's rising rival, it was to be found
among the aristocracy. The extreme
popularity Of Queen Victoria and Of her
consort during his lifetime prevented the
people at large from objecting to such
alliances.
The Duke of Connaught was especially
popular In character he resembled his
father more than any of his brothers
Concerning the Princess Louise Margaret
little was known, save that she was ali
attractive young German princess, pretty
IL not beautiful and more than ordinarily
intelligent. The wedding took place at
ST. Georges, Windsor. the archbishop OK
Canterbury performing the ceremony
and after a short wedding trip the royal
pair set up for themselves in Bagshor
Park, Surrey.
The duke and duchess were blessed
with three children-Margaret, who mar
ried the Crown Prince of Sweden. Arthur
Patrick who married his cousin the
Duchess of Fife, and Victoria Patricia
who. they say, might have married
Alphonso, King of Spain. Although
thirty-one years old, Princess Patricia.
one of the most fascinating members
of the English royal family, still scorns
all suitors.
The life of the Duke of Connaught
strangely links up a good many changes
in English history. Although born only
sixty-seven years ago. he was named
Arthur in honor of the Duke of Yelling
ton. Oddly enough, he was born on the
great dukes S1st birthday and not only
was that hero his namesake. but also one
of his godfathers. His other godfather
was no less a parsonage than William /.
who also stood as his godfather and pro-
vided the young duke with one of his
names. The third name, Patrick, was
given him in honor of the Irish, whom
Queen Victoria had been visiting some
/, time before the birth of this third SON
1t is sometimes difficult to imagine what
a painful confusion Of emotions must be
those of members of the European royal
families who, like the Duke and Duchess
of Connaught, are bound almost as
strongly in sympathy with Prussia as
with England.
Copyright, 1911