February 14, 1901
The Princess of Asturias -- Infanta Maria de las Mercedes -- and Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies were united in marriage today in a simple ceremony, which took place in the palace's chapel.
The royal family, "all of the aristocratic world, and almost every high official in the kingdom" attended the wedding, reported the New York Times.
The bridal party gathered in Queen Regent Maria Cristina's apartment before leaving for the ceremony. This included the bride, as well as her two siblings, the young King Alfonso XIII and her sister, Infanta Maria Teresa,, her aunts, Infantas Isabella and Eulalia, her uncle Archduke Eugen of Austria, and her grandmother, Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria.
At the same time, in Infanta Isabella's apartments, the bridegroom's party gathered, which included the groom and his parents, the Count and Countess of Caserta, his brother and sister-in-law, the Duke and Duchess of Calabria, his sisters, Princesses Maria Immaculata, Maria Pia and Maria Josefina.
Prince Carlo's party "emerged first and proceeded along the winding, massive granite corridors to the chapel." They were immediately followed by the bride's cortege from Maria Cristina's apartments.
Infanta Mercedes wore a white dress, "adorned with lace." On her head was a wreath of orange blossoms, "from which depended on a long veil." She was said to be "greatly unnerved," and she carried a handkerchief, "with which she constantly wiped her eyes." Maria Cristina was seen to be "weeping in sympathy with her.
Prince Carlo was dressed in a major's uniform with the Order of the Golden Fleece, while his father wore evening dress with the Spanish Orders that he received from Queen Isabel in 1861.
The bride and groom knelt at the altar, "thus remaining throughout the mass." Low mass was celebrated, "there being no singing, though solemn, sacred selections, including one written for the occasion by Zubicurre, were performed on the organ."
As the bride and groom "knelt upon cushions touching the steps of the altar, a white, satin-bordered veil, three yards long and half a yard wide, was spread over the head and shoulders of the bride, reaching the shoulders of the groom, but leaving his head uncovered," as a white satin ribbon, called a yoke, was tied about the neck of the couple. This is said to be a Spanish custom, "the knot being made between them, signifying their union."
The couple exchanged rings, which are "of great value and unique workmanship."
The Prince and Princess also observed another Spanish custom, where the groom gives coins to the bride. The number of coins must always be thirteen. Prince Carlo presented his bride with 13 gold coins, each weighing one ounce, and were previously used at the wedding of the bride's grandmother.
At the completion of the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds, "arm in arm, arose and left the chapel," and were followed by both their families, merging as one group, instead of leaving separately. They returned to Maria Cristina's apartments, "where a record of the marriage was entered into a special civil register."
The wedding breakfast in the State dining room was held after the wedding.
The Princess of Asturias and her husband will live in an apartment in the Palace. It is not known if they will take a wedding trip.
The wedding day was married by the establishment of martial law in Madrid, under the "practical dictatorship of Gen. Weyler."
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