Monday, February 7, 2011

Queen Wilhelmina and Duke Heinrich tie the knot

Embed from Getty Images 
 February 7, 1901

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and Duke Heinrich of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was married today in what was seen as a "huge family affair," according to the New York Times.

Heinrich was proclaimed as Hendrik Prince of the Netherlands in an announcement in the Court Gazette.

 There were celebrations with parades and banquets throughout the towns and villages of the Netherlands.

According to "popular belief," this marriage is a love match like that of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and this "gives a romantic coloring to the event which is generally lacking in royal marriages."  The couple was married in the "simple and unritualistic rites of the Reformed Church," and the entire spirit of the wedding was "plain and democratic, although "costly gowns  and jewels and showy uniforms furnished a regal stage setting."  

 One of the officiating pastors cautioned the Queen and her duke that their "high positions would not shield them from the common sufferings and sorrows of humanity."

It was a very crisp and sunny day.  The Hague was brightly festooned with decorations, Dutch flags, and bunting in honor of the royal wedding.  Thousands of Dutch men and women poured in by trains from all over the country. 
 
It must be said that the royal procession, "as a spectacle, was not noteworthy."  The procession began with 50 Dutch Hussars, followed by a "handful of court officials and the Grand Master of Ceremonies, on horseback.  They were followed by a gilt coach with the Queen and Duke Heinrich.  Their mothers followed in another coach. The end of the procession included military officials, the governor and city officials, and 50 mounted artillerymen.

The couple was married in a brief civil ceremony at the White Hall in the Palace of Justice, where six high officials waited to witness the signing of the marriage contract.  The only others who were permitted to attend the civil ceremony were the Queen Mother Emma and Grand Duchess Marie.
The Minister of Justice officiated at the civil ceremony.

The royal procession moved from the Palace of Justice to the Groote Kerk, where the religious service was conducted.

The church was "most magnificent," as the pews were filled with royal and noble personages wearing uniforms or beautiful gowns.  To the strains of Hildack's music, the bridal party made its way down the aisle.   Queen Wilhelmina, escorted by Duke Heinrich, was dressed in "white, silver and green." 

 A "heavy diamond tiara" was on her head, a "rich necklace of diamonds on her neck, with a big diamond brooch on her bosom."   She carried a bouquet of lilies of the valley."

Wilhelmina and Heinrich each bowed to the right and left, acknowledging the congregation.   They took the "two central seats" of the six seats in the first row.  The other seats were taken by the Duke's mother, " red-faced, stout dowager, gowned in white satin trimmed with brown fur and embroidered with gold.  Grand Duke Vladimir of Russia sat on her left. 
 
Once the vows were said and the rings exchanged,  the newly married couple made their way out of the church and got into a carriage for the ride back to the palace.  A military band played Sousa's "The Washington Post March."

A luncheon was held at the palace after the wedding, where the two families, the Ministers of State, and the witnesses attended.   Queen Mother Emma toasted the newlyweds, and Duke Heinrich - now Prince Hendrik - offered a response.   At 4 p.m.,  Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Hendrik boarded a special train at the railway station for the trip to Het Loo Palace, where another reception awaited them.

All of the wedding costs were borne by the royal family, without "any Government appropriation."  The wedding contract states that Prince Hendrik will not receive a state allowance.  The Queen will allow her husband to have the "interest on 50,000 Guilders," and will only receive an income in the event of the Queen's death.   It was also noted that Wilhelmina will "yield obedience to the husband as wife, but not as the Queen," and Hendrik "relinquishes the right" to administer his wife's property.

1 comment:

Ron said...

"Royalty Before the Wars" has a copy of a photograph of the wedding showing the couple and guests seated as described. I have always been struck by dourness of it.