Several royal weddings to watch out for in 1879

December 20, 1878

Mark your calendar as several important royal marriages are scheduled to take place next year.

The Duke of Cumberland, a great-grandson of George III, is to marry Princess Thyra of Denmark, youngest daughter of King Christian IX.  The betrothal was made public on November 20 at Fredensborg Castle.

The Chicago Daily Tribune reports that the ceremony was "impressive."  About 6:15 p.m., the Royal family entered the drawing room, where the official presentations were made.  A "procession was formed" and all the guests made their way to the dining room for a magnificent banquet.

Speaking in French, King Christian announced the betrothal of "his beloved daughter, the Princess Thyra, and His Royal Highness, the Duke of Cumberland," asking everyone to "drink to their health to wish them every happiness and prosperity."

This was followed by a flourish of trumpets and the playing of "God Save the Queen" by a band.

The Duke of Cumberland then stood up, expressing his gratitude to the king and queen for granting "to him the hand of the Princess. 

This was followed by the playing of the Danish national anthem, "King Christian Stood beside the Mast."

The Duke of Cumberland is the son of the late King George V of Hanover, who lost his throne in 1866, when Prussia annexed the tiny kingdom. 

The Duke is a king in name only, and unlikely to ever regain the Crown.  The Prussian government did not send a representative to the ceremony,

The date for the wedding was not announced, but is expect to take place sometime next year.

The marriage of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia, will take place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor, on February 7.  The ceremony will be "performed with much state and with great festivities.

Queen Victoria is expected to have a prominent role in the ceremony. 

Princess Louise Margaret will be attended by eight bridesmaids, the daughters of the Dukes of Bedford and Marlborough, the Marquesses Headford and Conynham and the Earls Errol and Elgin, Bradford and Mount Edgenumbe. 

It was also made known today that the household of the future Duchess of Connaught, "as was the case with that of the Duchess of Edinburgh, will be composed "exclusively of English ladies."

The Viennese artist is currently at work on a portrait of Princess Louise Margaret.

The bridegroom will soon visit Berlin for one final time before the wedding.  He will stay at the Royal Palace where Princess Friedrich Karl and her daughter are staying.   The final preparations for this marriage will take place during the Duke's visit.