September 4, 1913
King Manoel II of Portugal was married today to Princess Augusta Victoria of Hohenzollern. The marriage took place at Sigmaringen. The princess is the daughter of Prince Wilhelm of Hohenzollern. The "little capital" of Hohenzollern "made every effort to render itself attractive" for the wedding celebrations. Police kept a major watch due to a possible attempt on the life of Portugal's exiled king, whose father and brother were killed by assassins in 1908.
Guests at the religious wedding included the queen mother of Portugal, the Prince of Wales (representing his father), Infante and Infanta Carlos of Spain (representing the king and queen), the Duke of Genoa, the duke and duchess of Aosta, the Duke and Duchess of Vendome, the Duke of Montpensier, representing the Bourbon family, Prince Carol and Princess Elisabeth of Roumania, the duke of Oporto, as well as member of various German royal houses. Prince Eitel Friedrich represented his father, the German Emperor.
King Manoel II has been in exile since October 1908, when the Portuguese monarchy was overthrown in a revolution.
On the morning of their wedding, King Manoel and Princess Augusta attended mass and received the Sacrament of Holy Communion. This was followed by the execution of the marriage contract. The wedding was scheduled for 11:30 a.m. "A procession of the Royal personages walking two and two" made their way to the church for the wedding ceremony.
Princess Augusta was "pale and walked with half-closed eyes" as she made her way to the altar. Her wedding gown was made of moiré silk, draped with a silver brocade train. A small diamond crown was on her head.
Benedictine monks carrying lighted candles preceded the bride and bridegroom who knelt on stools before the altar. After the completion of Mendelssohn's Wedding March, the Cardinal began the service. The princess' responses were "calm and clear." The Cardinal nearly gave the wrong ring to the bride, but the king was able to catch the mistake. A full orchestra played and the choir sang. The Cardinal gave his homily. "An elaborate High Mass followed, and finally the Pontifical benediction and a congregational hymn."
A wedding breakfast followed, where the Prince of Hohenzollern, in toasting his only daughter, deplored her departure from his home. In the afternoon, the newlyweds got into their car and traveled to Munich for their honeymoon at the villa of Prince Friedrich of Hohenzollern. The king and his bride are expected to take up residence at Fulwell Park, Twickenham, after the honeymoon.
I suppose you mean Infante Carlos and Infanta Luisa of Spain. I do not know any Spanish Infanta named Carlos.
ReplyDeleteThe newspapers referred to the couple as Infant and Infanta Carlos.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see the future George V was there. I read that he particularly disliked travelling. Did he attend many other events abroad?
ReplyDeleteGeorge V was back in England at the time. This wedding took place in 1913. The Prince of Wales was the future Edward VIII.
ReplyDeleteIn May 1913, King George V did attend Victoria Luise's wedding. This was a rare occasion. But he did not attend Manoel's wedding. His son attended the wedding.
Sorry, of course this was the future Edward VIII!
ReplyDeleteThanks for clearing this up.
Where is Augusta Victoria buried?
ReplyDelete