DUKE OF WINDSOR'S MARRIAGE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 118, 4 June 1937, Page 5

DUKE OF WINDSOR'S MARRIAGE

Telegraph— Press Assn.— Copyright. )

Wedded to Miss Warfield ONLY 11 WHNESSES ATTEND Tears In Ex-King's Eyes at Ceremony MAYOR'S GOOD WISHES

CBv '

(Received 4, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 3. The Duke of Windsor and Miss Wallis Warfield were married at 11.47 a.m. at the Chateau de Cande, Monts, Franee. The Mayor of Monts, Dr. Mercier, upon his arrival at the Chateau, . was conducted to the salon, and took his place at a table opposite two armchairs in which sat the bride and bridegroom. Major Metcalfe sat on the Duke's left, while Mr; Herman Rogers sat beside Miss Warfield. The other guests were seated in rows behind the couple. The ceremony, which was very simple, was finished in twelve minutes. The Mayor read the relevant Articles of the Civil CLde, under which the couple promise fidelity and to help each other. The husband must protect the wife, the wife must- obey her husband and she must live wtth him and follow him wherever he deems fit. The husband must maintain his wife in accordance with his status. Dr. Mercier then deelared: "By oue of the chances of destiny, the most moving idyll of all times takes place Under the blue skies of France; amidst the flowers and

trees of the Chateau de Cande. I salute your Royal Highness as the former Sovereign of a most friendly nation. "I greet in the name of France, a prince and her whom his Royal IJighness has chosen from the noble country attaehed to us by the same precious bonds. I. present you with my most sincere wishes for your happiness." The Mayor, addressing the Duke, using all his Christian names and titles, including Admiral of the Fleet, Field Marshal and Marshal of the Air Force of Gr^at Britain, asked if he took Miss "Wallis Warfield as his wife. The Duke replied in firm clear tones, "Oui, Monsieur le Maire." Dr. Mercier repeated the question to Miss Warfield, who replied, "Oui," in a slightly unsteady voice. The Mayor then deelared: "In the name of the law w© deelare you united in the bonds of matrimony." Only eleven witnessed the civil ceremony, Mrs. Merriman, Major Metcalfe, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Rogers, the Prefect of Tours, the Commissioner of Paliee, and five journalists, Most of the other gnests waited in the ijbrary. which had been transformed into a floral bower with scores of bouquets and baskets There were several American flags, bnt nowhere in the decorations were any British flags. The famous French organist, M, Mercel Dupre, played the wedding march while the wedded couple proceeded to the music room for the re« Iigip»a ceremony, during which there were tears in the Duke of Windsor' s 4j> «•. Though he made his respeoses

clearly and firmly, once or twice the bride placed an oncouraging hand on his arm. The Duke did not kiss the bride in either th6 civil or religious ceremonies.1' At the conclusion of the religious ceremony, a bouquet from the French Premier, M. Leon Blum, was presented to the Duke and Duchess who returned to the salon to receive the congratulations of their guests. The religious ceremony was conducted according to the full rites of the Church of England, including the bride 's promise to obey. ' 'Brilliant ear-rings, set with eiglit flashing sapphires, and a diamond bracelet with dangling crosses, adorned the bride who stood at the altar beside the bridegroom, while the Rev, Mr Jarfiine, wearing a snrplice of purple stole, began the service. The Doke was inclined to fldget. His voice was high-pitched when he replied "I will," Miss Warfleld's responses were soft The Duke was deeply moved when he repeated the words: ' 4 With this ring I thee wed" and his hand tremhled as he placed the wedding ring on his bride 's finger. The wedded pair knelt on white satin cushions during the Lord's Prayer and Blessing, after which, to the strains of the wedding march, the bride, holding her husband 's arm, and followed by tho guests, left the room. At the reception in the salon, Major Metcalfe proposed the toast of the bride and bridegroom. The Duke of Windsor laughingly replied: " We both thank you feelingly for your kind ancj. friendly attendance on an occasion so important for us. " The Duke and Duche6s then greeted every guest. The Duchess was happy, but resenved and thoroughly composed. The Duke and Duchess then posed for photographers in the front of the chateau. While the bride was talking to her guests, aomo addressed her ais " Wallis" and others as "Yoqr Grace" and "Duchess." The wedding breakfast lasted about an hour. The table was decorated with pink carnationa on either side of the three-foot high eight-fciered wedding cake. The Duke was in an extremely happy mood throughout the breakfast. Soon after the wedding, tho Duke and Duchess received representatives of the world 's Press. The Duke said: "We are both extremely happy and both of us are delighted to receive you here. I ameorry that the size of the Chateau has not permitted ns to invite all the people we would very much like to have seen her© to-day," Both smdled and looked as happy as they said they wero, Mr Herman Rogers issued a statement from the Duke: "The Duchess and I wish to thank all thosei who so kindly sent us presents and good wishes on the occasion of our marriage. We shall never forget the friendly messages which mean so much to us on this day. After the trying timo we have been through, we now look forward to a happy useful life and that measure of peace which w© hope will ba eranted to us." Mr Rogers later iseued another communique; "The Duke and Duchess of Windsor wish to take this opportunity of expressing to journalists their appreeiatioh of the courtesy which has been for the most part shown them everywhere in these unprecedented circumstances. They would like it recorded that, al though inaccurate statemente and reports seem to have been unavoidable during these months, which have been so trying to all concerned, there has been evident a willingness lo contradict them. As regards the futnire, ?he Duke realises that any atmoSphere of secrecy is nnsatisfactory and he will always be prepared to supply any news of importance concerning the Duchess and himself, "The Duke and Duchess at tho same time, while fully understanding the dijficulties, want on this day to appeal to the Press of the world to give them that measure of consideration and privacy which they feel is now their due." / The Duke and "Duchess of Windsor left the chateau by car at 6 o 'clook. Waving acknowledgement to farewell cheers, they drove off, ascorted by a police car and four motor-cyclists. For three miles from Monts the road was lined on both sides with mobile guards, spaced fifteen yards apart. The bridal car, followed by a luggage van, proceeds to Larocho Migennes, a small wayside station, where the Duke and Duchess expected to board the express shortly before m.idnight, en route for Wasserleonburg for the honeymoon. Dr. Mercier reveals that the marriage record, whioh will be kept in the official archives at Monts, was signed by the bride and .bridegroom, in .French, "Edward, Duc de Windsor Wallis, Duchess de Windsor." The Daily Mail saya their Majesties sent a joint wedding present to • the Duke and Miss Warfleld,