Royal Wedding.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1922, Page 3

Royal Wedding.

SERVIAN KING AND ROUMANIAN PRINCESS. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION. 15El.GRADE June 8. Mediaeval spectacle, curiously combined with modern customs, characterised the marriage of King Alexander and Princess Marie of Ron mania. Fifty i thousand troops were concentrated in the capital. The marriage procession passed through the streets, which were held bv a double line of soldiers. i he; procession, headed by riders, represented all provinces in .htgo-Slavm. I hose in it wore gala costumes, recalling comic operas and romances, to which , the Balkans furnished a background. At the door of the cathedral, where the marriage was performed with the iitrs of the Greek Church a patriarch, splendidly robed, met the royal couple, who kissed the Testament and a sacred ikon. The Duke of York was present, and throughout the long ritual he stood behind the King, holding various symbols. After the exchange of these, the couple moved to the nltnr where the patriarch joined their hands, and placed marriage crowns on the heads of the bride and bridegroom, the choir singing nuptial chants The bride was gowned in silver tissue, and wore the traditional Roumanian nuptial gold headdress. There was an enthusiastic reception in the streets, the crowd including peasants in their sheepskins and homespun garments wl)o revelled in the beauty ot the bride, the riot of colour ol the processionists, and the quaint, customs There were further Slav ceremonies at the castle where Queen .Mari stepped over a strip of white cloth representing; t and symbolising Iter passage from an old to a new life. Que«n Mane scattered grain over the courtyard and re-entered the palace with a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine, as a sign of bringing joy to her husband's house. Waiting for her in the hall was a peasant child, whom Queen Marie lifted and kissed. The police on Tuesday arrested fifty •Communists, some being in possession of bombs.