Princess Giovanna of Savoy became the Queen of Bulgaria today when she married King Boris III at the basilica of St. Francis at Assisi. According to the New York Times, "the solemnity of the ceremony was enhanced rather than lessened by its simplicity."
The weather was certainly not cooperative. Driving rain and hail fell, as "royal personages participating in the marriage hurried through the streets of Assisi during the downpour."
Princess Giovanna "got her wedding gown wet when she arrived at the upper church. Many of the female guests were also "drenched to the skin."
When the wedding party arrived at the church, they were greeted by "a thick carpet of rose petals" strewn by local children.
The entire party hurried into the church, as the rain continued to fall.
The princess, on the arm of her father, King Vittorio Emanuele, was the first to enter the church. They were followed by Queen Elena "on the arm of King Boris, "as the notes of Domine salvum fac Regum nostrum filled the basilica."
The king's witnesses were his brother, Prince Kirill, and his brother-in-law, Duke Albrecht of Württemberg, both of whom stood at his side. Giovanna's witnesses were her brother, the Prince of Piedmont, and her brother-in-law, the Count of Calvi di Bergolo. The couple was married according to the rites of the Roman Catholic church, although the king is a member of the Orthodox church. To achieve a papal dispensation for this wedding, the king agreed that the couple's children will be baptized and educated in the Roman Catholic faith.
When the newlyweds appeared "with linked arms at the door of the church they were greeted with a veritable tornado of applause, to which they replied with bowing and smiling."
They were followed by Queen Elena on the arm of Boris' father, King Ferdinand of Bulgaria, and Queen Sophie of Greece, who was escorted by King Vittorio Emanuele. "All walked under pouring rain" to the sound of 300 children "singing sacred music."
Boris and Giovanna moved to the tomb of the Infanta of Savoy, where they "knelt in veneration of the relics of St. Francis."
The bride "wore a simple white satin dress which followed becomingly the slim lines of her youthful figure." The gown had a high neck, and long sleeves, and the short train was held by "two gentleman-in-waiting." Her
"priceless veil of ivory-tinted Venetian lace" -- a gift from her mother, Queen Elena -- fell over her shoulders toward the ground and was held in place by "a sprig of orange blossoms."
Boris, wearing the uniform of the commander-in-chief of the Bulgarian Army, "smiled reassuringly at his bride, sitting by his side," in the car as they were driven back to the Villa Constanza, where the wedding breakfast menu featured "prepared eggs, lobster, roast pheasant from the royal preserves, various vegetables, ice cream and coffee," and six different kinds of Italian wine.
Another ceremony took place at the local City Hall, where Prince Philipp of Hesse, the husband of Giovanna's sister, Mafalda, and the Duke of Aosta attested that the wedding took place. Prince Kirill and Duke Albrecht acted again as witnesses for the king.
After the wedding breakfast, Boris and Giovanna began their honeymoon, by boarding the royal train for the trip to Brindisi, where they are expected to embark on the Bulgarian royal yacht for a cruise through the Adriatic, Ionian, Aegean, and Black seas to Bulgaria. The trip is expected to take about a week.
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