Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 November 1889 — ROYAL NUPTIAL VOWS. [ARTICLE]

ROYAL NUPTIAL VOWS.

TWO NOTABLE WEDDINGS ACROSS THE SEA. The Duke* of Sparta Joined In Wedlock with the Princess Sophia of Prussia—A Gorgeous Ceremony—Marriage of Prinoe Hatzfeldt and Miss Clara Huntington. The duke of Bparta and Princess Sophia of Prussia were married at noon, at Athens, by the metropolitan of Athens in the Greek cathedral. The marriage procession left the royal palace at 11 o'clock. The sun was shining briliant y. The streets along the route were crowded with spectators to the housetops. The national costume was largely worn and gave the masses an unusually picturesque appearance. Every building, private as well as public, was decorated with the Greek blue and white and the German black, white and red colors, and with garlands and emblems of all kinds. The bride rode in a state carriage drawn by six black horses with silver trappings. The bridegroom was on horseback by the side of tha carriage, wearing a handsome uniform. The moment tbey came in sight the cheer ing began and never ceased until they had entered the cathedral. It increased, if anything, as the Emperor and Empress followed, the former wearing splendid decorations and the Empress sparkling with diamonds. They were the center of attraction. Children were held up to look at them and vented their delight in screams. Next came the prince and princess of Wales. They were heartily greeted all along the route. The Empress Frederick, accompanied by her daughter, the Princess Vio-, toria, dressed iu silver gray, was an object of deep interest to the people, who gave her a warm and sympathetic reception as she slowly drove on. Four other carriages bore the King and Queen of Greece, the King and Queen of Denmark, Prince Albert Victor and Prince George of Wales, Prince Waldemar of Denmark and others of royal blood. The bridal pair on entering the cathedral were received by the metropolitan and archbishops and bishops and clergy, arrayed in the rich portiflcals of the Greek church. They were conducted up the aisle, which was strewn with roses, and knelt at the altar rail. The Emperor and Empress, the Kings of Greece and Denmark, with their Queens; Empress Frederick and the princes and princesses were grouped in a semicircle behind them. After religious services, with swinging of censors and beautiful choral music, the metropolitan, assisted by his clergy, celebrated the marriage ceremony with stately solemnity according to the Greek rite. During this part of the service the Princes Albert Victor and George of Wales held golden crowns over the heads of # the bride and bridegroom. Tho service lasted an hour. Benediction having been pronounced, the choir burst into song, the bells began to ring, and the booming of cannon was beard. The wedding party returned by a different route and arrived at the palace at 1 o’dock. when the marriage was again solemnized. The ceremony this time was in accordance with the Lutheran rite and took place in the King’s private ceapel. During the ceremony Prince Henry of Prussia and Princess Victor and George of Wales alternately held the bride’s coronet,, while tho czarewitch, Prince Waldemar, and Prince George of Greece held the coronet of the bridegroom. Count Herbert Bismarck ‘was among the first to congratulate the couple. Crowds surged in the Place de la Constitution for hours afterward. i At 4 p m. the Duke of Sparta conducted his bride from the royal palace to his own palace amid storms of “zetos” from the populace. The bride, who was very pale,/ smilingly bowed in response. The Duke and his bride were afterward obliged to appear on the balcony, when they wera greeted with rending cheers. The diplomatic body was invited to the gala banquet at the palace in the evening. The vicinity of the palace was ablaze of illuminations and ben gal fires. The Czar’s presents were valuable brilliants, a silver and crystal tea set, and a captain’s uniform of the Neva regiment. Ex-Empress Frederick and her daughters will remain here for a few weeks and* then go to Italy. The Princess of Wales' and her daughters will remain here % fortnight. Prince Hatzfeldt and Miss Clara Huntington have been married at Bromptou oratory, London. The ceremony was necessarily semi-private on account of the orief time allowed for arrangements and because of the absence of many friends of the family from tne city. * About 100 special guests were present in the oratory, which had been sumptuously decorated with rich draperies and growing plants. Prince Herman Hatz~feldt was best man and the bride was given away by lier father. Miss Therroli of Washington was the only bridesmaid. The marriage ceremony was performed* by Bishop Emmons. Among those present were Princess Hatzfeldt, Count and Countess Altahn, Count Paul (the German ambassador at London), and his daughter,, the Austrian and American ministers to England, Counts Mensdorf and Lutzen,; and the mother and brother of the Dride. Count Paul gave a wedding breakfast at the German embassy after the wedding. The newly wedded pair will pass their honeymoon in Italy. The bride’s dress was of green velvet, trimmed with sable, and was valued at $3,000. The bride received many handsome presents. Her father presented her with a necklace containing eighty gems, most of the stones being over three karats* in weight From her mother she received a diamond brooch and diamond star—the largest gem of the latter weighing, twenty carats. Prince Hatzfeldt’s parents gave the fair bride an elegant diamond necklace of curious design, and pretty ornaments for the hair or dress containing a large pearl’ and a number of small diamonds was the present from the groom. Most all the other presents consisted of diamonds.