The morning of the Royal wedding in Athens was splendidly sunny, with the locals referring to it as „King’s weather.“ The King of Greece, like Queen Victoria, was renowned for his luck with auspicious skies for such occasions. The scent of myrtle filled the city’s streets, where it had been generously used for decorations, transforming Athens into a town of myrtle. The whole town was adorned with flags, evergreens, and triumphal arches at all major street intersections. Early in the day, people from the surrounding countryside flocked to the town, and the national costumes of the peasants added to the picturesque scene. At five o’clock, a salute of five guns was fired, and the bugle calls rang out from all points about the town through the clear morning air, bringing the streets to life with animation. This animation quickly developed into enthusiasm of the wildest description that Athens has ever seen. Every inch of vantage ground along the route followed by the bridal procession was taken up, with all the windows occupied by ladies, gentlemen, and children, and thousands of people viewing the parade from the roofs of houses. The streets were lined with soldiers, and for weeks there had been the keenest desire to obtain tickets for the Cathedral to witness the wedding ceremony.
The first lady to appear in the diplomatic circle was Mrs. Ylakos, dressed in a magnificent Greek costume of white, red, and gold. She was followed by Madame Traubenborg in a court costume, with a pink train and a white satin front, surmounted by a headdress with a pink band ornamented with diamond stars, from which depended a veil. They were closely followed by Olanesko in a sky blue dress with a gold train, Princess Antzo in a costume of red velvet with pink cut en train, a pink front trimmed with gold, and a grand display of diamonds, Madame Rackmetiew wearing a Russian costume of orange and gold, Ojeda with a white Spanish mantilla about her head, Baroness Kosjek in a light blue dress trimmed with gold embroidery, and Lady Monson in a pretty pink silk costume trimmed with gold. The ladies of the Court followed, led by Theocheri, Madame Bapountzakis, and Madame Anargyro, all wearing the national Greek Court costume.
Their entrance was immediately followed by 96 ladies belonging to the suites of the Empress of Germany, the Queen of Italy, the Princess of Wales, and the Empress Frederick, with those of the latter dressed in sombre colours.
The Royal party left the palace at eleven o’clock, and the bride, though nervous, looked very happy. She gracefully acknowledged the applause of the people, who were all pleased with her girlish sweetness. Upon their arrival at the Cathedral, the Metropolitan greeted them at the door.
The company entered the church in the following order: The French Ambassador accompanied the Empress of Germany; the Emperor of Germany escorted the Empress Frederick; the King of Denmark accompanied the Queen of Italy; the Prince of Wales accompanied the Queen of Denmark; Prince Henry of Prussia and the Princess of Wales; the Czarewitch and the Princess of Saxe-Meiningen. Then followed the Duke of Sparta and the Princess Sophie. The ceremony began immediately, with the Empress Frederick leading her daughter to the table and the King of Greece leading his son. The ceremony was of the most impressive character and lasted an hour and a quarter. The wedding service was conducted by the Metropolitan of Athens, Gerraanos, assisted by the Archbishops and Bishops of Greece, all in magnificent vestments. A platform, about a foot high, had been erected, occupying a good half of the floor beneath the dome in front of the altar. ….more
