A Simple Wedding

HM King Constantine announced the engagement of his daughter Princess Alexia to Carlos Morales Quintana in London in late 1998.

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The Pre-Wedding Ball

Princess Alexia along with Carlos Morales and the Greek Royals arrive with the Morales family for the festivities held at Bridgewater House. The evening began with a champagne reception during which guest were served Greek canapes including dolmades, souvlaki and tzatziki, as well as tiny Spanish tortillas. Afterwards they strolled out into the garden of Bridgewater House, entering a marquee decorated with more cascades of lilac and pink flowers. The mansion is owned by a Greek billionaire friend John Latsis, a close friend of the Prince of Wales. After the dinner King Constantine spoke of his happiness at the marriage of his daughter. Although he kept his words lighthearted and sprinkled his speech with jokes, his voice was thick with emotion as he told guests: "Alexia is marrying a wonderful man, but she will always be our daughter." Alexia's brothers Pavlos, Nikolaos and Philippos then added few words of their own. Speaking in turn in English, Spanish and Greek, they toasted their sister's future happiness. Then many of the younger guest at the ball danced until beyond 4 am when dawn was streaking the sky.

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The Wedding

It was truly a majestic occasion in every sense when three kings and eight queens witnessed the wedding in London. In place of King Constantine who naturally was the last to arrive with the bride, the Duke of Edinburgh assisted by Crown Prince Pavlos greeted guests as they arrived at the cathedral. Outside the cathedral was decorated with enormous cascades of white roses, amaranth and lilies, as well as the entwined initials of the bride and groom, A and C in roses. The monogram was designed by Queen Margrethe, who is not only Alexia's aunt but also a noted artist and designer.

Finally, the bride arrived but sat waiting patiently for some minutes outside the cathedral as most senior guests, including Britain's Queen Elizabeth had not yet been seated. Assisted by the top people's part organizer Lady Elizabeth Anson, she stepped from the car to a roar of approval from the crowd. Her wedding dress of heavy off-white satin was elegantly cut with a V neckline, a cross-band design on the bodice, and long, tight-fitting sleeves. The gown was the work of Inge Sprawson, an Austrian and a favourite designer of Queen Anne-Marie. Her long dark hair was swept up into a chignon encircled by a diamond and white gold tiara designed by Cartier, which was given to her great-grandmother Princess Margaret of Connaught as a wedding gift in 1905 by the then ruler of Egypt. The tiara became a family heirloom that has been worn by all the direct female descendants of Queen Ingrid of Denmark who was given the tiara. Falling from the tiara was also another family heirloom. The lace veil, woven with designs of lilies, lilly of the valley and small bows, was made by Irish lacemakers as another gift to Princess Margaret of Connaught on her wedding day.

Behind the bride came her 16-year-old sisters Theodora, who as the chief bridesmaid kept a watchful eye on her tiny companions Princess Mafalda, daughter of Prince Kyril of Bulgaria and Princess Maria Olympia, her niece as well as being the daughter of Crown Prince Pavlos.

As King Constantine entered the cathedral with his daughter almost the entire crowd of 450 guests turned to see their arrival. The only exception was the nervous groom who, according to Greek customs, was not permitted to turn and see his bride, until her father bought her to his side.

Alexia and Carlos stood in front of a table adorned with lighted candles, gold crucifix, the Book of the Gospels, the bridal crowns and a cup containing wine. With a smile King Constantine lifted two rings from his waistcoat pocket and held them up to show Alexia he had not forgotten them.

The choral music that greeted their entrance then faded away, and his Eminence the Metropolitan loakeim of Chalkidon began the wedding service. After the invocation of the name of God, a litany in which the couple were prayed for, that they may enjoy perfect love, was recited, before the ritual of consecrating and bestowing the rings began.

No sooner had they been placed on couple fingers, the rings were exchanged. This is an act symbolizing the mutual exchange of promises made by the bride and groom.

Then after a prayer read by the archbishop the betrothal ceremony ended and the crowning ceremony began. The crowns are first consecrated by being passed over the Book of the Gospel. King Constantine was the first to hold the crowns over the heads of the young couple, followed by 12 crown bearers, who took turns as the ritual progressed

The crowning ritual has nothing to do with the brides royal status--in the Greek Orthodox marriage service, the crowning of the bride and groom symbolizes that they will become king and queen of their new home. Afterwards the ceremonial dance of Isaiah began as the couple slowly walked three times around the table in the center of the church. This symbolizes their promise to walk together through life.

The archbishop then led the way, holding the Book of the Gospels, with Alexia and Carlos, following behind, as the crown bearers--12 in total led by Prince Pavlos--took turns to carry then crowns above the couple's heads.

As the dance began shower of petals floated down from the dome, a traditional custom to express the hope that the newlyweds life will be without difficulties.

Following another blessing by the archbishop, who prayed for their "long life, good children, progress in life and faith," their clasped hands were separated by the Book of the Gospels to symbolize that God alone can break the bond created between husband and wife.

Then the service was over and the newly married couple emerged from the cathedral.
Crowds of photographers packed unto the pavement opposite the cathedral shouted "kiss the bride" and Carlos happily obliged. Family and friends then emerged from the cathedral and congratulated the bride and groom.

After the obligatory post-wedding crowd greeting the couple depart to their reception at Kenwood House.