| Citation |
AWM.732.011
22-29 Jun 1732:21, 22 (652)
Berlin, March 12. N.S. Yesterday the whole court received
orders to be in the late King's apartments by six o'clock in
the evening. The Duke of Lorrain was there in a very rich
habit: his Royal Highness seemed under some sort of
surprise at the magnificence of the furniture, the beauty of
the pictures, and all the riches he saw in the those
apartments, the two great halls whereof illuminated with wax
candles without number. The King and Queen came thither at
half an hour after six: Their Majesties were accompanied by
the Prince Royal and the other Princes and Princesses of the
royal family, and also by the Duke and Dutches of Beveren,
and the Prince and Princess their eldest son and daughter.
Immediately after, a large circle was formed round that
august company, which being done, the Prince Royal advanced
toward the Princess of Beveren and presented her with a ring
valued at 24000 crowns and the Princess gave him another
valued at 10000 crowns: after this ceremony, which is that
of the betrothing the whole court and the foreign minister
complimented the Prince and Princess, their Majesties, the
Duke and Dutchess of Beveren, &c. and their Majesties
embraced the Prince Royal with a great deal of tenderness.
The Count de Schulenbourg Major General, was immediately
dispatched to Vienna, to carry the news to the Empress, the
betrothed Princess's Aunt; and Col. Derschan was sent at the
same time to notify it to the Duke and Dutchess of Brunswick
Wolfenbuttle that Princess's grandfather and grandmother.
This done, they began to dance in four quadrilles; The
Prince Royal and the Princess of Beveren opened the ball,
and after they had danced some time, they placed themselves
at a figured table, at which sat 300 persons: The repast was
extreamly magnificent. and served up in a gilt plate. After
supper, the ball was revived, which lasted till past two
o'clock in the morning. The King was in a humour that
shewed the satisfaction that he had in the conclusion of
this alliance: His Majesty embraced the Prince Royal
several times, as also the Princess of Beveren to whom he
had the day before sent precious jewels, stuffs, and laces
to the value of 50, 000 crowns.
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