December 2, 1948
In the presence of exiled monarchs and nobility, Countess Maria Ludovica Calvi di Bergolo was married today in a Roman Catholic ceremony in Alexandria, Egypt, to Robert Gasche, the son of a millionaire Swiss industrialist.
The Countess, 24, is the eldest daughter of Princess Jolanda of Italy, who is King Umberto's eldest sister,
Because Gasche is a Protestant, "the ceremony did not have the full splendor of Catholic nuptials for royalty." The couple were married earlier in the day in a civil ceremony at the Swiss consulate.
More than 1000 persons attended the wedding at the Sacred Heart Church in Alexandria. Among them were King Umberto, who was a witness for his niece, Queen Marie Jose, Queen Elena (widow of King Vittorio Emanuele, King Simeon of Bulgaria and his mother, Queen Giovanna (who is the bride's aunt), Prince Louis of Bourbon-Parma and Prince Nicholas of Russia. Representatives of Egypt's royal family were also present.
Dr Robert Gasche lost his second wife Beatrice (Swiss) last week. She died at their villa in Alexandria, Egypt.
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