Italian aristocrats and monarchists are "all in a flurry" over the forthcoming wedding of Princess Maria Pia of Savoy, eldest daughter of former King Umberto II, to Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia, reports the Chicago Tribune.
The wedding will take place in a "little parish church" at Cascais, Portugal, where King Umberto has lived in "splendid exile" for several years now.
The "blue bloods of Italy" have charted two "luxury ships" from Naples and Genoa, to attend the wedding "en masse."
There will be plenty of parties to celebrate the wedding, and "local dressmakers and couturiers have been swamped" with orders for new gowns.
Young King Baudouin, a cousin of the bride, and her brother, Prince Vittorio Emanuele, will be the witnesses for Maria Pia. King Paul of the Hellenes and King Peter II of Yugoslavia, will serve as witnesses for Prince Alexander.
But as King Paul and King Baudouin have not made official visits to Portugal, they will not attend the wedding in person but will be represented by other members of their royal families.
Princess Maria Pia's wedding gown and her trousseau have been made in Rome by one of Italy's "top couturiers." Her bridal veil, a "precious family heirloom, a rare piece of lace," that once belonged to her great-grandmother, Queen Margherita.
She will wear a diamond tiara over the veil The tiara, which belonged to a member of the Savoy family, is a gift from her parents, King Umberto and Queen Marie José.
The Princess will not have any bridesmaids, due to "court etiquette." After the ceremony, she will "receive homage" from young girls, in "picturesque regional costumes" from Italy.
The Duke of Kent, a first cousin of the groom, will be one of the guests at the wedding.
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