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Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume III, Issue 6, 18 July 1863, Page 1

The great topic of the day in all the English and Danish dominions, was the union of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales with the Princess Alexandra of Denmark, which propitious event took place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor, on the 10th of March 1863. The national rejoicings were immense andprolonged, and the ornamental displays upon which an enormous amount of money and labour were expended, called forth the admiration of all classes; whilst the enthusiastic greetings for the Bride and Bridegroom, were poured forth from thousands upon thousands of joyous hearts. The Maoris alone who have visited England would be able to form a conception of the vastness, and grandeur of the demonstrations in honor of the Queen's eldest son, the Prince

of Wales, and his beautiful Bride. The English newspapers tell us, in reference to the marriage ceremonial, that a large asssembly of distinguished personages awaited the coming of the principal actors of the scene, in St. George's Chapel, and when all the seats were occupied, the appearance was most gorgeous, and the eye was dazzled with pearls and diamonds, gold and silver in profusion. Her Majesty the Queen proceeded privately from Windsor to St. George's Chapel. The Queen was attired in deep mourning, and during the whole of the ceremony, exhibited the greatest interest in every thing that passed, and was occasionally seen to weep. When the procession of royal guests arrived at the West end of St. George's Chapel, the Master of Ceremonies was in waiting, who with the Gentlemen! Ushers conducted the guests to the seats which had been prepared for them, the silence being broken only by the trumpets and drums. i The Archbishop of Canterbury,! the Bishop of London, the Bishop of j Oxford, and many other distinguished j Prelates, wearing their sacerdotal robes, stood within the altar. His Royal Highness's procession having been formed, the Lord Chamberlain conducted the Bridegroom, and his supporters to the choir, on reaching which, the trumpets and drums ceased, and the organ and Her Majesty's Band performed a march. The Bridegroom wasconducted to the place prepared for him, near to the

altar, where he stood, and awaited the coming of the JUide with that manly and royal bearing that became his illustrious birth and exalted station. On reaching the Haut Pas, the Princess Alexandra made a deep reverence to the Queen; and when the ladies and gentleman forming her procession had taken their places, the band and choir performed a chorale, the music of which was composed by the late Prince Consort. These are the words:— This day with joyful heart and voice, To heaven be raised a nations prayer Almighty Father, deign to grant, Thy blessing to the wedded Pair ! So shall no clouds of sorrow dim, The.sunshine of their early days ; But happiness in endless round, Shall still encompass all their ways. All remained standing during the performance of the piece, and it is stated by spectators, that moved by the memory of the illustrious composer, th§ Queen wept bitterly. At the conclusion of the chorale the Archbishop of Canterbury began the marriage service. After the first benediction, the67th Psalm "Godbe merciful unto us" was sung, the musical performers on the occasion, amounting to one hundred and fifty. At the conclusion of the service, which was most impressive, the Prince and Princess of Wales left the Chapel in procession. The Royal party was conducted to the Palace, where the attestation of the marriage took place by the royal guests, the Church dignitaries, the Lord Chancellor, and other Ministers of the Crown.

On the same day the Prince and Princess of Wales took their departure for Her Majesty's marine residence Osborne, Isle of Wight.