JOHORE'S WELCOME TO SULTAN'S NEW WIFE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 269, 10 February 1941, Page 6

JOHORE'S WELCOME TO SULTAN'S NEW WIFE

Among the most lavish receptions ever given in J-ohore, was that to '•welcome home the Sid tana and his bride, the former Miss Marcella Mendl, 25 years old Rumanian

beauty. Ever since the cables Hashed the news from London that the fi7 year old Sultan had married just two weeks after the untimely death in an air raid of Lydm Hill, ex-show girl to whom he wns devotedly attached, Singapore and its neighbouring state of Johorc, have been agog with speculation about the new Sultana. The reception was held at the Sultan's Istana (palace), situated on a hill overlooking the Straits of Johorc and surrounded by sumptuous gardens. Although it was pouring with rain loyal Malay and Chinese subjects stood in the gaily bcflaggcd streets and lined the drive up to the Tslitna. Malay Boy Scouts and Girl Guides formed a guard of honour near the gates. Guests stood on spacious verandahs that lead to the historic throne room of the Palace, the walls of ' which are hung with portraits of * British sovereigns and rulers of the ' State of Joliore.

When the Sultan arrived, a salute of 21 guns was fired and then the Royal couple, shielded from the rain by huge umbrellas of State colours, walked majestically up the wide staircase to the htrone room.

The Sultan and his bride then stood on the dais, the cynosure of every eye, for nearly an hour while addresses of welcome were read to them by the leaders of every community in the State of Johorc, European, Malay, Indian, Chinese and

Japanese. Lady Mareella Ibrahim, chose a simple frock of navy jersey crepe with a tucked centre panel of torquoisc blue, for the historic occasion. She added an off-the-face hat with a heart-shaped crown, trimmed with matching blue. Her sole .jewellery was a magnificent diamond nock the gift of the Sultan. She carried a black antelope bag and gloves and wore black ankle-strap shoes. Her ash-blonde hair, was dressed in two sort rolls nhovo cnHi nnd allowed to curl solll.v on : nape of her neck. After the ceremony, gursls dramc eh a mpagne and sample.] Iwairicus food delicacies. At night, the Sultan -:r: ) n:,c attended a rlance in their honour at the Royal Johore international Club, leading sporling and social centre for the SLale. Lady Ibrahim, as the new "first lady" of Johore will now lead society in the State. The former Sultana, whom the Sultan divorced, some years ago by saying the Malay word "T'alak" (gel out) three times, is now : ' ««?