Eine erhebende Feier, die durch die Liebe des deutschen Volkes zu ihrem Kaiserhause eine nationale geworden, hat 1878 am 18. Februar in Berlin stattgefunden.
Die Vermählungen zweier Prinzessinnen des kaiserlichen Hauses, die der Prinzessin Charlotte von Preußen der ältesten Tochter unseres Kronprinzen, mit dem Erbprinzen Bernhard v. Sachsen-Meiningen, so wie die der Prinzessin Elisabeth, der Zweitältesten Tochter des Prinzen Friedrich Karl, mit dem Erbgroßherzog August von Oldenburg, wurden an diesem Tage im kaiserlichen Schlosse zu Berlin gefeiert.
Schon in den Nachmittagsstunden desselben hatte sich eine nach Tausenden zählende Menschenmenge in den mit Blumen und Fahnen festlich geschmückten Straßen nächst dem Schlosse eingefunden. Der Himmel lächelte glückverheißend und breitete sich in wolkenloser Bläue über die Stadt und das fröhliche Menschengetreibe.
Die von halb sechs Uhr an in fast ununterbrochener Reihenfolge die schöne Strecke „Unter den Linden“ durchfahrenden Gallawagen, welche die fürstlichen Gäste mit ihrem Gefolge nach dem kaiserlichen Schlosse brachten, boten der schaulustigen Menge reichliche Augenweide, aber besonders waren die Blicke erwartungsvoll nach dem mit der preußischen und englischen Flagge geschmückten kronprinzlichen Palais gerichtet, von wo aus die liebliche königliche Braut, Prinzessin Charlotte, zu ihrer Trauung fahren sollte.
Gegen 6 Uhr stiegen der Herzog von Meiningen mit seinem Sohne, dem Bräutigam, von dem Prinzen v. Wales sowie dem Herzoge v. Connaught, beide Brüder der Kronprinzessin, geleitet, die breiten Stufen des kronprinzlichen Palais herab.
Ihnen folgte die Braut in strahlendem Festschmucke an dem Arme ihrer Mutter, und wurde an dem Vorplatze des Palais von ihrem Vater, dem Kronprinzen, und dem versammelten Hofstaate begrüßt.
Wer das innige Familienleben kennt, welches die kronprinzliche Familie umschließt, das vollständige Aufgehen der Eltern in Liebe zu ihren Kindern, der wird es begreiflich finden, daß der Kronprinz tief erschüttert von dem Augenblicke, der die geliebte Tochter aus dem trauten Familienkreis entführte, diese weinend an's Herz drückte. Erst nach langer zärtlicher Umarmung trennte er sich von dem geliebten Kinde. Prinzessin Charlotte stieg darauf in den bereitstehenden, von sechs prachtvollen Rappen gezogenen Hochzeitswagen, in dem sie an der rechten Seite ihrer Mutter Platz nahm.
Oben auf dem prachtvollen, reich mit goldenen Zierrathen geschmückten Wagen ruhten sechs silberne Kronen. Vier mächtige Adler, unter deren Flügel brennende Laternen, schmückten die vier äußeren Ecken der Wagenkuppel. Das Innere des Wagens war mit lichtgrauem Seidenstoffe bezogen. Der mit rothem Sammt ausgeschlagene Kutscherbock war reich mit goldgestickten Wappen und Kronen ausgestattet.
Unter dem rosigen Lichte bengalischer Flammen, welche im Augenblicke der Abfahrt das wahrhaft großartige Bild umflossen und der harrenden freudig bewegten Menge das geliebte Königskind in bräutlichem Festschmucke zeigten, setzte sich der Wagen, von berittenen Fackelträgern geleitet, unter dem nicht endenwollenden Jubelrufe der Bevölkerung in langsamem Schritte nach dem kaiserlichen Schlosse in Bewegung.
Immer wieder verneigte sich die liebliche Braut dankend und grüßend.
Nachdem der für die kaiserliche Familie ernannte Standesbeamte, Freiherr von Schleinitz, bereits am Sonntag Nachmittage in Gegenwart der Trauzeugen den standesamtlichen Act im kronprinzlichen Palais vollzogen, hatte sich nunmehr eine glanzvolle Gesellschaft in den Räumen des kaiserlichen Schlosses eingefunden, um der kirchlichen Feier beizuwohnen.
Es dürfte fast unmöglich sein, nur annähernd den Glanz zu schildern, der sich hier entfaltete. Prächtige Uniformen aller Länder und Reiche, überstrahlt von den festlich geschmückten Frauengestalten, sah man durch die Säle des Kaiserschlosses nach der Kapelle wandern, sich dort in malerischen Gruppen sammelnd und des Augenblickes entgegenharrend, wo die drei Schläge des Marschallstabes das Erscheinen des kaiserlichen Hofes verkündeten.
Genau 6½ Uhr ertönte das Zeichen durch den Oberceremonienmeister des kaiserlichen Hauses, Graf v. Stillfried Alcantara.
Den Zug eröffnete der Oberstmarschall Fürst und Altgraf zu Salm-Reifferscheidt-Dyck mit dem Marschallstabe. Ihm folgten paarweise die für die Neuvermählten befohlenen Kammerherren sowie eine Anzahl von Junkern.
Sodann kam das erste Brautpaar, oder sagen wir, da die standesamtliche Trauung bereits vollzogen war, das neuvermählte Paar, der Erbprinz und die Frau Erbprinzessin von Sachsen-Meiningen. Die Frau Erbprinzessin trug auf dem Haupte die ihr von der Kaiserin, ihrer Großmutter, eigenhändig befestigte Prinzessinnenkrone. Der Saum ihrer, mit Silberfäden durchzogenen, reich gestickten und mit Edelsteinen gezierten Brautschleppe wurde von vier Damen getragen.
Rechts von den Neuvermählten schritt deren Oberhofmeisterin Prinzessin Biron v. Curland. Hinter dem Erbprinzen v. Sachsen-Meiningen, der die Majorsuniform des ersten Garderegiments und die Kette des kürzlich empfangenen Schwarzen Adler-Ordens angelegt hatte, ging der ihm zur Aufwartung befohlene Generalmajor von Sannow.
Hierauf folgte das zweite neuvermählte Paar in gleicher Weise wie das erstere, von Ehrendamen und Herren geleitet und gefolgt von einem glänzenden Hofstaate.
Jetzt erschien die hohe, stattlich schöne Gestalt unseres Heldenkaisers in schlichter preußischer Generalsuniform, auf der die Kette des Schwarzen Adler-Ordens ruhte. Er führt die Königin der Belgier zur Rechten, zur Linken die Frau Großherzogin v. Oldenburg. Die Schleppen beider Fürstinnen werden von Edelknaben getragen. Wieder kommt ein glänzendes Gefolge von Generälen und Flügeladjutanten.
Unter Vortritt zweier Kammerherren erscheint nun die Kaiserin im Zuge, ihr zur Rechten der König der der Belgier, zur Linken der Prinz v. Wales. Die Schleppe der hohen Frau tragen vier Gräfinnen.
Ihr folgt die Frau Kronprinzessin von den beiden Vätern der neuvermählten Gatten geleitet, sodann der Kronprinz in Feldmarschallsuniform, ebenfalls mit der Kette des Schwarzen Adler-Ordens, die Frau Prinzessin Friedrich Karl und seine Schwester, die Großherzogin von Baden, führend.
Genau dem Range nach schließen sich nun in gleicher Weise die übrigen zur Festlichkeit geladenen.
Die Prinzessin Marianne hatte ein sehr kostbares Geschenk für Ihre Nichte geschickt, die zukünftige Herzogin von Sachsen-Meiningen, erhielt von ihr ein Diadem. Oben im Bild ist sie
Hereditary Princess Charlotte of Saxony-Meiningen | Sapphire Diamond Tiara Wedding Gift Princess Marianne the Netherlands |Princess of Prussia
An uplifting celebration, made national by the love of the German people for their imperial home, took place in Berlin on 18 February 1878.
The weddings of two princesses of the imperial house, the Princess Charlotte of Prussia, the eldest daughter of our crown prince, with the hereditary prince Bernhard v. Chr. Saxony-Meiningen, as well as that of Princess Elizabeth, the second oldest daughter of Prince Friedrich Karl, with the Grand Duke Augustus of Oldenburg, were celebrated on that day in the imperial castle in Berlin.
Already in the afternoon hours a crowd of thousands had gathered in the streets festively decorated with flowers and flags next to the castle. The sky smiled auspiciously and spread in cloudless blue over the city and the happy crowd.
The half-six o'clock, in almost uninterrupted succession, the beautiful Unter den Linden line, carrying the princely guests with their entourage to the imperial castle, offered ample feast for the onlookers, but especially the looks were full of anticipation from the Prussian and English flag decorated royal prince palace, from where the lovely royal bride, Princess Charlotte, should go to her wedding ceremony.
At about six o'clock the Duke of Meiningen and his son, the bridegroom, descended from Prince V. Wales and the Herzoge v. Connaught, both brothers of the Crown Princess, lead down the broad steps of the Crown Prince's Palace.
They were followed by the bride in bright festive decorations on the arm of her mother, and was greeted at the foreplaza of the palace by her father, the crown prince, and the assembled court.
Whoever knows the intimate family life that surrounds the Crown Prince's family, the full uplifting of the parents in love with their children, will find it understandable that the crown prince was deeply shocked by the moment when the beloved daughter was abducted from the intimate family, crying it squeezed to the heart. Only after a long tender embrace did he part with the beloved child. Princess Charlotte climbed into the waiting wedding car, drawn by six magnificent black horses, where she sat down on the right side of her mother's.
On top of the splendid carriage, richly decorated with golden ornaments, stood six silver crowns. Four mighty eagles, under their wings burning lanterns, adorned the four outer corners of the car dome. The interior of the car was covered with light gray silk fabrics. The red-velvet coachman's coach was richly decorated with gold-embroidered crests and crowns.
Beneath the rosy light of Bengali flames, which, at the moment of descent, embraced the truly magnificent picture, and showed the beloved King's child in bridal festive decorations to the waiting crowd, the carriage, led by mounted torchbearers, sat down slowly under the never-ending cheers of the population Steps to the imperial castle in motion.
Again and again, the lovely bride bowed his thanks and greetings.
After Baron von Schleinitz, the registrar appointed for the imperial family, performed the civil service in the Crown Prince's Palace on Sunday afternoons in the presence of the witnesses, a splendid company had now gathered in the rooms of the imperial palace to attend the church celebration.
It would be almost impossible to describe only approximately the splendor that unfolded here. Splendid uniforms of all countries and empires, overshadowed by the festively decorated female figures, were seen wandering through the halls of the imperial castle to the chapel, gathering there in picturesque groups, and awaiting the moment when the three blows of the Marshal's Staff announced the appearance of the imperial court.
At exactly 6:30 pm the signal was sounded by the chief ceremonial master of the imperial house, Count v. Stillfried Alcantara.
The train was opened by Colonel Marshal Prince and Altgraf to Salm-Reifferscheidt-Dyck with the marshal's post. It was followed in pairs by the chamberlains appointed for the newlyweds and by a number of junkers.
Then came the first bridal couple, or let's say, since the civil marriage had already been completed, the newlywed couple, the hereditary prince and the wife of the hereditary princess of Saxe-Meiningen . The woman was wearing Erbprinzessin her hand fortified by the empress, her grandmother on the head of Princess Crown . The hem of her silver embroidered, richly embroidered and gemstones bridal train was worn by four ladies.
On the right side of the newlyweds, their Supreme Court Master Princess Biron v. Courland. Behind the hereditary prince v. Sachsen-Meiningen, who had created the Major Regiment of the First Guards Regiment and the chain of the recently received Black Eagle Order, went to Major General von Sannow, who was ordered to wait.
This was followed by the second newlywed couple in the same way as the former, led by ladies and gentlemen and followed by a brilliant court.
Now the tall, handsome figure of our hero Emperor appeared in a plain Prussian general's uniform, on which rested the chain of the Black Eagle Order. He leads the queen of the Belgians to the right, to the left the wife Grand Duchess v. Oldenburg. The tows of both princesses are carried by noble boys. Again comes a brilliant retinue of generals and aides-de-camp.
Under the precedence of two chamberlains, the Empress now appears in the procession, to her right the King of the Belgians, to the left the Prince v. Wales. The train of the high woman carry four countesses.
It is followed by the wife Crown Princess led by the two fathers of the newlyweds, then the Crown Prince in Field Marshal's uniform, also with the chain of the Black Eagle Order, the wife Princess Friedrich Karl and his sister, the Grand Duchess of Baden, leader.
Exactly in the same range, the rest are invited in the same way for the festivity.
The Princess Marianne had sent a very precious gift for her niece, the future Duchess of Saxony-Meiningen, received from her a diadem.
PRINCESS CHARLOTTE OP PRUSSIA, GRANDDAUGHTER OF QUEEN VICTORIA, THE ROYAL WEDDINGS AT BERLIN. The double wedding at the Court of the Emperor-King William of Prussia and Germany, was attended by their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Connaught, by the King and Queen of the Belgians, and by several German Princes and Sovereign Grand Dukes.
Of the two young brides, the one in whom we must feel an especial interest is Princess Charlotte, the eldest daughter of Their Imperial and Royal Highnesses the German Crown Prince and the Princess Royal of Great Britain and Ireland.
She was born on July 24, 1860. Her husband, the hereditary Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Meiningen, her senior by five years, is the eldest son and heir of the reigning Duke, George II and his wife Princess Charlotte of Prussia and the grandson of Princess Marianne of the Netherlands.
Prince Bernhard is a Captain in the Prussian Foot Guards, and has spent the greater part of his life at Berlin, where he has formed an intimate relationship with the Crown Prince and his family. His future dominions will be limited to a comparatively small area; but, being described as a young Prince of considerable gifts and excellent character, he is expected to make a name for himself among the rulers of the land. Prince Bernhard has inherited a large fortune from his mother and grandmother, in addition to what is allotted to him as the son and heir of his father.
Princess Marianne gave her grandson's bride, Princess Charlotte of Prussia, a costly diamond and sapphire diadem, which was worn by the princess throughout her lifetime including the wedding of her cousin Princess Alexandra of Edinburgh to the Prince oh Hohenlohe-Langenberg.
In design the tiara is somewhat reminiscent of the sapphire and diamond tiara of the Grand Dukes of Luxembourg as both centre on a magnificent sapphire but this tiara is very much a product of its time.
Queen Victoria gave her grand-daughter a pair of diamond and pearl earrings, a beautiful pink silk and satin dress, trimmed with clouds of the finest lace.
The Prince of Wales gave his niece three splendid bracelets, with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires while the younger English Princes (the sisters of the crownprincess which are not attend, probably her younger unclies and aunt Beatrice),
gave a silver tea service for twenty-four persons.
Princess Louise of England a golden golden jewel box
The Duke of Connaught a splendid chatelaine
a gold chronometer with a barometer and a beautiful fan.
Miss Grant-Duff a necklace of gold coins.
There are conflicting news reports as to the gifts from the Emperor and Empress of Prussia.
The first
The Emperor and Empress gave the Princess Charlotte a necklace of four rows of beautiful pearls with a diamond clasp, several bracelets and rings and more and more
The Empress has also presented a golden bracelet with her portrait in relief.
while the second states
The Emperor, the Princess's grandfather, has given his granddaughter a magnificent pearl necklace, with four rows of pearls of the purest and most perfect description, and containing 480
pearls all, the value of which must be very great.
The Reigning Duke of Saxe-Meiningen is also represented by the gift of a bracelet with a beautiful sapphire .
Two other bracelets, one of which is with a pair of very costly emeralds, are from the bridegroom Hereditary Duke of Saxe-Meiningen himself,
while another bracelet with sapphires is from the Princess Elizabeth, the bride of the Hereditary Grand Duke of Oldenburg.
the Grand Duchess of Baden a timepiece, with a stand of old porcelain;
Princess Talleyrand- Perigord a fan,
Princess de Courland a flower-stand, and Countess of Munster a beautifully-ornamented fire-screen.
I just want to mention in a nutshell that the city of has a silver dinner service.
Sources:Hamburger Zeitung;Illustrated London News;
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