THE QUEEN OF SPAIN’S FIRST RECEPTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5384, 29 June 1878, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE QUEEN OF SPAIN’S FIRST RECEPTION.

The King of Spain held a reception, or, as they call it iu Madrid, El Besa Mano, on the Friday after his wedding. The King and Queen were seated upon a dais raised three steps, and surmounted by tho royal crown. The Queen was dressed in red, with a mantle of the same color, having upon her head a veritable crown of diamonds, made especially for her. The King was dressed as on the day of his marriage. Behind the throne were grouped the ladies of the first rank, the Marchioness of Alcanices, the Duchess of Fernan Nunez, the Duchess of Santa Cruz, the Marchioness of Bedmar, the Duchess of Medina-Coeli,the Marchioness of Molins, and seven or eight other ladies. At the foot of the dais, upon gilded fauteiiiis, were the Duke and Duchess de Montpensier, the Princess of the Asturias, three Infantas, and the Queen Christina. Upon both sides of the throne were ranged the grandees of Spain. The chamberlains and generals, in full uniform, were ranged before the throne, iu two ranks, upon both des of the grand entrance door, the' diplomatic body occupying the right lane. Ladies and gentleman in full court dress entered by the grand door, passed before the Diplomatic Corps, bowed before the throne and royal family, received a salute from the King and Queen, and passed out by tho opposite door. The reception ended, the royal couple descended and passed through the hall, addressing several gracious words to the chiefs of divisions and the heads of Diplomatic Corps, with each of whom in turn their majesties conversed. During the time the ambassarders had retired into another salon where Don Francis of Assisi was seated whom hey saluted. The King and Queen remounted the throne, and the reception terminated with a ceremony usual only in such a case as the present. The gentlemen and servants of the roval house come to the Besa, Mano, but they really kiss the hand of all the members of the royal family on cither side of the throne and of the King and Queen on the throne. This scene finished, the halberdiers and soldiers present arms, aud the royal family quit the throne and the carriages bear away the honored guests through the dense crowd.