| Citation |
WR.732.010
12 Jun 1732:11 (38)
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
surprize at the magnificence of the furniture, the beauty of
the pictures, and all the riches he saw in those apartments,
the two great halls were illuminated with wax candles
without number. The King & Queen came thither at half an
hours 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 Dutchess of Beveren,
and the Prince and Princess their eldest son & daughter.
Immediately after, a large circle was formed round that
August company, which being done, the Prince Royal advanced
towards the Princess of Beveren, and presented her with a
ring valued at 24 000 crowns, and the Princess gave him
another valued at 10 000 crowns: After this ceremony, which
is that of the betrothing, the whole court and the foreign
ministers complimented the Prince and the 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. Derszhau
was sent at the same time to notify it to the Duke and
Dutchess of Brunswick Wolfembuttel, 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 extremely magnificent, and
served up in 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 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 presents of
jewels, stuffs and laces to the value of 50,000 crowns.
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