- St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Further Research Required: Suggested as an alternative place for the ceremony is the Royal Chapel, Buckingham Palace.
Berkshire County (Pittsfield, Massachusetts) Eagle
30 March 1871
p. 1g
Royal Marriage in England.
On the 21st inst., John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, Marquis of Lorn, eldest son of his Grace Duke of Argyll, was married in London to Her Royal Highness the Princess Louise Caroline Alberta Guelph, the sixth child and fourth daughter of Her Majesty Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, by her husband, the late Prince Albert. This union blends the blood of the Guelphs, the Coburgs (of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha), the Gowers and the Campbells of Scotland. The bridegroom was born on the 6th of August, 1845 and is in the 26th year of his age. His personal appearance was described a years since by a spectator in the gallery of the House of Commons in the following words : "The Marquis of Lorn looked so very young, and seemed determined to look so very old ; complexion delicate and pink ; finely cut and feminine features ; a slight red mustache his only facial adornment ; genuine Rufus locks, small ears, hands and feet ; a light, springy step ; head high in the air, and a gait which expressed generally a full consciousness of the rights and titles and belongings of the Dukedom of Argyll - is the Marquis of Lorn, as he appeared to me from the speakers' gallery." The Princess Louise, the bride, was born on the 18th of March, in the year 1848. She is descrived as a fair young lady, approaching to a blonde, of graceful figure, but inclined to be fat and heavy as she advances in years. Her fortune is a dowry, voted by the nation of £30,000, and an annuity of £6000 per annum.
The selection by the Queen of a day in Lent for the wedding of her Daughter has evoked considerable comment in England, as Lent is not in the English Cchurch a time for festivity, and it is accounted unlucky to marry in the holy season. It is alleged that two British noblemen - on of the highest rank, the other well known in political society, but neither holding official positions under Government - having had it intimated to them that they would receive the Queen's commands to be present at the marriage of the Princess, asked "her Majesty's gracious permission to be excused from attending a matrimonial feast to be celebrated in Lent." A correspondent writing about the event says :
The marriage of the Princess Louisa and the Marquis of Lorn took place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. In London there was little excitement. Much dissatisfaction prevailed because the wedding did not take place at Westminster or St. Paul's. Bells chimed all the afternoon. The town of Windsor was crowded. There were thousands on the castle green and the Eton boys occupied Castle Hill. The police and soldiers kept the passage open for invited guiests who came from London by a special and were conveyed in the Royal Carriages to the chapel amid the cheering of the people and the ringing of the bells. The interior of the chapel was magnificent with knightly banners, gorgeous uniforms, rich robes, diamonds sparkling and sunshine streaming over all. The Ministers of the Cabinet, foreign ambassadors, royal family and the very cream of English society were present. Of the bridal party thie first to arrive was the Duke of Argyle, dressed in full Highland costume, the Duchess of Argyle, robed in a cloth of silver, the Princess of Wales in a blue satin robe with a train of blue velvet, leading the Royal children, who were in Scottish costume.
Then came the Princess Christina dressed in pink satin, trimmed with lace, and an Indian Princess blazing with scarlet and gold. A long pause followed, during which Disraeli read the marriage service to himself and the company chatted gaily. The Lord Lorn entered while the choir sung an anthem. he was attended by his groomsmen, Earl Percy and Lords Levensen and Gower. All three were dressed in the univorms of the Volunteer Rifles and the Argyleshire Artillery, green trimmed with silver. Lord Lorne looked pale and nervous as he stood by the altar. After a pause the Queen entered, robed in black satin, very low in the neck. She also wore a veil and a coronet of diamonds. The Princess followed. She wore a dress of white satin with a white velver train, a honiton lace veil and a wreath of orange flowers. Eight bridesmaids carried the train. They were all daughters of Dukes and Earls and dressed in silks, with necklaces and wreaths of roses. They wore no veils. The Queen and the Princess Louise knelt at the alter for a few moments and then the Marquis of Lorn advanced and the Bishop of London, assisted by the Bishops of Winchester, Worcester and Oxford, performed the ceremony. The Queen gave away the bride. The Princess spoke her responses clearly, but the Marquis' answers were inaudible. After the ceremony the Queen took the Princess in her arms and gave her a hearty kiss. The Marquis of Lorn knelt and kissed the Queen's hand. The Royal party then received congratulations and slowly quitted the chapel. The crowd cheered and waved wedding favors during their passage back to the castle, where the wedding breakfast was served to all the guests. The royal party breakfasted alone. No speeches were made, but there was great gaiety. Two immense wedding cakes were served, and then the bride retired and changed her dress. When she reappeared she was in a charming travelling costume of Campbell plaid. The bridal party then took the carriage for Claremont, where they are to spend the honeymoon. The road was lined with triumphal arches and people cheered the bride and the bridegroom all the way to their new home.
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1848 - 1939 (91 years)
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