Haakon and Maud in France

May 29, 1907

King Haakon and Queen Maud of Norway and the President and Mrs. Falliéres of France visited Versailles today. They spent the day touring the palace and "other places of historical interest. An "alarming accident marred the day," according to the New York Times.
Queen Maud, Mrs. Falliéres and Gen. Michel were in one carriage drawn by four horses. As the landau crossed the low narrow bridge over Lake Marie Antoinette leading to the Swiss village, the "horses suddenly became frightened and commenced plunging furiously."
The bridge has no rails, and one by one, the horses fell into the water, and the postillions "went with them."
General Michel was able to force open the carriage door, and "half helped and half carried the Queen and the wife of the French president out of the carriage and to the end of the short bridge." The two women were able to get to safety before the carriage fell into the water. The two women were "not hurt, although they were much agitated and nervously shaken."
The water under the bridge is not deep, and the horses were pulled out of the water. Unfortunately, one of the horses had sustained two broken legs and had to be put down.
In the evening, the Norwegian sovereigns were the guests of honor at a dinner at the Foreign Office hosted by the French president.