Crowning a Bride.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1922, Page 1

Crowning a Bride.

AIARRIAGE OF A PRINCESS

LONDON, Sept. 4.

With all the pomp and splendour of a royal Russian wedding. Brim-ess Nina of Russia, daughter of the late Grand Duke and of the Grand Duchess George of Russia, was married to Prince Raul Chavchavadze, eldest soil of Rrincess Troubctzkoy, at the Russian Churc-h, Buckingham Palace-road, S.W., yesterday afternoon. The register office ceremony (necessary under English law) took place oil August 25. The church was crowded. Queens,

grand duchesses, and princes were among the guests ranged ill a .semicircle. The majestic ritual of the ceremony, the golden robes ot the priests, and the wonderful music made it one of the most remarkable functions ot its kind ever hold in London.

Queen Alexandra stood liy a pillar throughout the ccmnuny, which lasted about three-quarters of an hour. She watched it intently. Sometimes ns a certain piece of ritual appealed to her, she would speak to Queen Olga of Greece, who stood beside her. There was a complete absence of formality while the guests were awaiting the arrival of the bride. A scarlet carpet covered the space reserved for the ceremony, and in the centre was a rostrum, draped in cloth of gold, and in front of that a lower one hearing two golden crowns. • CLOTH OF GOLD.

The bridegroom awaited his bride standing in front ol the ling ot guests, a young, manly figure. Now and then he smiled at his mother and his sister, who stood opposite. As the bride, in a simple white dress, moved slowly through the group of guests, there was singing, unaccompanied by music, from a hidden recess. A tiny hoy, Prince George Glnit/.ine, walked in front of her, hearing an ikon (image). A dnx/.ling picture. Princess Nina, followed by her three little bridesmaids who held up her train, walked gracefully up to the side of Prince Chav cliavadze. . ~j Three more dap./.ling figures had by this time moved into the picture. They were the chief priest. Father John Lcliukin, and two others, clothed in cloth of gold embroidered in silver. Two candles, tied with white ribbon and orange blossom, were lighted and a priest gave one each to the bride and bridegroom. They held these throughout. the ceremony. TWO RINGS. PR TDK AND PRIDKGROOM EXCHANGE. The service was, ot .course, conducted in Russian. Thirty-six beautiful voices, directed by M. Makaroff, kept up a chant without accompaniment.