Monday, February 9, 2009

More news on the upcoming Spanish royal wedding

February 9, 1901

 Preparations continue for the Valentine's Day wedding of the Princess of (the) Asturias and Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. (The New York Times and the Chicago Daily Tribune refer to the bride as the Princess of the Asturias). A ball was held tonight at the Palace for ninety guests, where the groom-to-be and his parents, the Count and Countess of Caserta, were the guests of honor.

The New York Times reports that the head table was "adorned with flowers and garlands of ivy." A ball in the grand salon followed the formal dinner. Work continues in "constructing galleries in the palace chapel for the accommodation of the guests at the wedding."

The Countess of Caserta and her daughters have been driving through Madrid and taking in the sights. They visited the Art Gallery, and "were saluted respectfully." Princess Pia, Immaculada, and Josefina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies have given the "Princess of the Asturias a valuable watch encrusted with pearls and diamonds." The Count and Countess of Caserta and their family are staying in the Asturias apartments at the palace. "All the aristocracy of Madrid" have now signed the visiting book for the Count and Countess. Spain's Minister of Education "has authorized all the universities to advance the carnival holidays on the occasion of the wedding." 

Several demonstrations protesting the Casteras have been seen in Madrid, and police have made some arrests." There is still some ill-feeling toward the Casertas, especially toward the Count, reports the Chicago Daily Tribune. 

The Count of Caserta was one of Don Carlos' Generals in the Carlist uprising. The count "received a hostile reception" when he arrived in Madrid last Friday. The marriage is said to be a love match, and would have taken place several years ago if not for the "popular feeling against the Casertas." 

The Tribune also reports that Queen Maria Cristina tried to dissuade her elder daughter from marrying Prince Carlos, although she had "personal sympathy with her daughter." The Princess told her mother that "she would marry Prince Carlo remain single all her life." She remained steadfast until the Queen and Council were "forced to give their sanction and brave the actual possibility of serious uprisings in the country."

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