The Holland Society of New York - Yearbook (New York, NY)

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as R A IF N Q 1' e 1 fain 'Ul1 '7rf' .l.. Ui' 'le .rg 'Elia gl? 0-in Ala ii m fi - .fuk A ff c, MARRIAGE OF QUEEN WILHELMINA. The following 'account of the wedding of Queen Wilhelmina is from the correspondent of the 'N ew York Tzwzes, by cable, and was published February 8, 1901. THE HAGUE, Feb. 7.-Wilhelmina, Queen of Holland, was I to-day married to Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, who becomes Prince of the Netherlands by proclamation in The Court Gazette of this evening. The wedding was a huge family affair. .All Holland that could do so came to The Hague to participate. Those who p stayed at their homes in other cities andivillages ofthe kingdom celebrated with parades, decorations, and banquets. Never was seen a more beautiful and happy wedding. The popular belief is that it is 'a love match, like that of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and this gives a romantic coloring to the event which is generally lacking in royal marriages. The ceremonies were the same simple and unritualistic rites of the Reformed Church by which the humblest of Queen Wil- he1mina's subjects are married. The whole spirit of the affair Was plain and democratic, although costly gowns and jewels and Sh0Wy uniforms furnished a regal stage setting. At the church the venerable pastor administered to the bride and bridegroom a caution that their high positions would not shield them from the common sufferings and sorrows of humanity. . ' The weather was crisp, sunny, and inspiriting. The C1fYb0re IIS most festal appearance. Vast crowds were in the Streets eaT1Y, and trains poured in thousands from all Parts of the 65 e if fl il il i i f l l E r F l l 1 5 Q , . 4 1 i l E 9' L' T l it we if 4 li' 'A 3 A ,.. i . r 1 .if L if 5 r fl :fl 5 'r i ti! 'i

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Glfjote Kerk. lightened b - White knot! le of the iople' .A big oFpeT0l1gand luch their ,nu 7h0iifi8,yg, ionhl- Fifty of Court nm. 'TS6back, then, 'hell mothersv 0f5Cials of the 311 horseback, was frequently way. vets, more or- Policemen and the route the ae way for the eat cheering, om the Palace pearance was squares awtl-, he arm of tht ess swttllillt' nd the Grand Jourt followed gleaming with th sidCSn made people cf ' 3C0l'3.iCd mth X high olllcinlt f justice Dl' 0 es the Quetll three clerks: r witnesstl were 57 the Speakers of the two Houses of Parliament, the Adjutant General, Van Bergambachtg the Clrrand Chamberlain, General Count du Monceaug the Vrce-President ofthe Council of State, Mynheer Van Schorer, and the Chief Justice. The ceremony was very brief. The bride and bridegroom, the Queen Mother and the mother of the bridegroom, and the witnesses, inscribed their names upon the official document. The Minister of justice first asked the mothers, according to the usual form, if they had any objection to the marriage, and they answered in the negative, amid- general smiling. ' W 'In asking the bride- and bridegroom if they were willing faithfully to fulfil all the duties of married state, the Minister said : , The question is most important, not only to you, but to our beloved country.'-' ' l The Queen and her betrothed answered in the affirmative, whereupon the Minister of Justice said : I now declare you married according to law, and wish you all possible happiness. Turning to the husband, he said : - For the love of your bride you have left your land and your people. You have promised to be a true and faithful husband. The loyalty of all our people will be assured to you. Then, turning to the Queen, the Minister of justice said : You have seen how all the people, from the youngest child, have given you their homage at your Coronation, and how they rejoice with you to-day, praying God that all possible happi- ness may be your portion. Your happiness will reach further than your household. May God make yourtmarriage a salutary one for our beloved country. i Immediately after the civil ceremony the procession started for the church. f The religious edifice in which the final ceremony was held is a great, bare structure, of Gothic type, with white vaulted arches. The body is filled with plain box pews. The scene when the weddin g guests assembled, however, was most magnificent. There was an acre of many-colored uni- forms and beautiful gowns, with flashing jewels and glittering Orders of the royal personages and nobility, and the feathers and flowers of a thousand wonderful bonnets. A 011 one side of the church was a square of perhaps fifty feet of SPHCC. From the back rose a big white column, with an