MELODRAMA AT A WEDDING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 437, 17 September 1908, Page 4

MELODRAMA AT A WEDDING.

Princess Refuses to Give Up Her Lover. Vienna, July 17. The romance of Princess Amelie of Fuerstenberg, who recently eloped with Herr Kocziau, motor car agent, and formerly lieutenant, has terminated in their wedding. Exciting and dramatic scenes preceded the ceremony, which took place in the chapel of Hradek Castle. All the preparations for the wedding had been kept strictly secret, the family believing that up to the last moment there would be no marriage. When Herr Koczian made his appearance at the castle he was not admitted, but was taken by a back door to a room where he put on his military costume. Suddenly Princess Fuerstenberg, mother of the bride, accompanied by several of her retinue, came in and endeavoured to persuade him to break off the engagement, but all the weeping and clamouring were in vain. Prince Emil Fuerstenburg, the bride’s brother, also implored his sister in a passionate manner to withdraw from the marriage, and this attempt was also without result. Princess Amelie firmly insisted on going to the altar with her fiance.

At the chapel there were further scenes. The mother, who was weeping, loudly besought her daughter not to take the final step, and failing to move her, the mother fell prostrate on the ground. All present again tried to persuade Princess Amelie to give in, but she would not listen to them.

The wedding was then celebrated, and immediately afterwards the newly-married couple left for Prague, in the happiest of spirits. Before the church door, and in the presence of a crowd of people, Princess Amelie ostentatiously embraced her husband.