END OF A ROYAL ROMANCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 29, 29 October 1920, Page 7

END OF A ROYAL ROMANCE

GRECIAN KING'S SECRET MAREIAGE.

Athens, October 2G The death of King Alexander ends one of the most remarkable Royal romances of modern days. Ho showed a fond attachment for his morganatic wife, a beautiful and wealthy Greek, Mademoiselle Aspasia Manos, though officials Warred tlie Palaco door against bev.—~ Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

King Alexander ivas secretly married in Alliens, in November last, to Mile. Mam The Paris "Matin," in May last, told the romantic story of the marriage. It appears that towards the end of November people in Court circles at Athens observed with surprise that the ynune King wore a wedding ring, m accordance with Continental usage among married couples. Curiosity, thus provoked, soon discovered that His Ma-jes-.y had lately been married to Mile. Ma-iKS. a daughter of his Master of Hoise, and a member of one of the besoknown Greek families. ' The marriage, took ptoce at the bride's home, and was solemnised by an Archimandrite in full accordance with the custom of the country, so that it was held'there could oe no doubt as to the- legitimacy of the marriage. The young King and his bride had known each other -from infancy, and grew up together at Athens. Curwnt gossip had linked their names for some years, and the Prince before the stirring events which placed him on the throne always spoke of his comroinion of his boyhood as his fiancee. The maihr, however, was not» as of anv exceptional importance, as Prince Alexander, being only the second son, did not seem likely to come to the throii?. Ex-ICing Constantine himself was reported to have been quite favourable to the proposal that his younger son .should make -a love match, and sliO'lH select, as n. wife a lady who wjis reputed to be the Dretticst woman in Gr;.e:e. ' , Then came the deposition-of Constantino and the barrine of the oldest son from succeeding to the Throne, and the conseauent accession of Prince Alexander. The change in his stntus made ; no diffor-?n'ce fo the young King's desire, and it was noted after his nccession that he fv.Miuently took long motor-car drives in the neighbourhood of Athens in company with the lady whose name was so often joined with his. Matters came to a climax in November, after tho ceremony before the ■ Archimandrite, when the King took his bride to livo at til p. Palace. Her position quickly became intolerable, and early this year wbe left Athens with her mother and sister, and w«nt. to livo in Paris. I lie TCi'i<r, however, visited Paris in May, and when lie returned to Athens Mile. Ma--is accompanied him. As there was muc.'i opposition to her becoming recognised as Queen, her position caused consid'iraWe comment.