Wedding preparations for Dutch queen

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 February 6,1901 

 The Hague has the aura of winter carnival as wedding celebrations continue. The Netherlands' young Queen Wilhelmina will marry Duke Heinrich of Mecklenburg-Strelitz tomorrow in civil and religious ceremonies. More than 100,000 Dutch citizens and foreigners have come to the Hague to join the celebrations, despite the "clear and cold" winter weather. Trains from all parts of the Netherlands "are bringing thousands more." 

The city is lit with "orange-colored paper lanterns, hanging from the fir trees which line the main streets." Just about everyone is seen wearing an orange rosette with a picture of the bride. Some of the rosettes also include a portrait of the groom. One of the striking features of these festivities is "their democratic atmosphere." There are no police or soldiers "to hold back the crowds." Nor is there talk of "Anarchists." Members of the Queen's court say "she delights in her popularity," according to the report in the New York Times. When asked what they think of their queen, the answer is: "We think her very handsome."

 The Queen and Duke Henry "have spent a large part of the week thus far driving about the city in order to give the people a chance to see them." Wilhelmina's wedding gown, woven of the finest silver tissue, was embroidered by the School of Art Needlework in Amsterdam. The gown was finished by Nicaud of Paris. The gown is "ornamented with silver threaded pearls." The gown's train and robe "are lined with rich white silk." The bodice, "which is plain and cut low, is trimmed with magnificent antique lace. Wilhelmina will also have a court train, which is two and a half yards long. 

 Queen Emma, the Queen Mother, "always wears on state occasions some shade of purple befitting her matronly figure." She will wear for her daughter's wedding a "gown of Paruna violet, with a long train of a deeper shade. The bodice is cut low, and trimmed with priceless Brussels lace, of which she has a large store, and with mousseline de soie." Queen Wilhelmina has conferred on her husband the title of Prince of the Netherlands. He will also adopt the Dutch version of his name -Hendrik.