The air was full of wedding preparations when the rejoicing was suddenly marred by the death of the aged Duke of Celle, who died of a chill caught hunting. The Princess of Ansbach, accompanied by her brother, the Margrave, had actually started on her journey to Hanover when the news of this untoward event reached her, and the Electoral Prince had gone to meet her half-way. As all arrangements were completed for the wedding, and delays were dangerous owing to the jealousy of the Courts of Vienna and Berlin, it was decided to suspend the mourning for the Duke of Celle for a few days, and to celebrate the marriage on the arrival of the bride.
George Augustus and Caroline were married quietly on September 2nd, 1705, in the chapel of the palace of Hanover. The only account of the marriage is to be found in Poley’s despatch: “The Princess of Ansbach and the Margrave, her brother, arrived here, and were received with all the expressions of kindness and respect that could be desired. The marriage was solemnised the same evening after her coming, and yesterday there was a ball, and in the evening there will be a comedy for her entertainment, and there are the greatest appearances of entire satisfaction on all sides. The Court left off their mourning, and has appeared these three days in all the finery which the occasion requires, and the Marquess of Hertford, Mr. Newport, Mr. Onslow, Mr. Austin, and some other English gentlemen, who are come hither to have their share of the diversions, have made no small part of the show.”[19] Thus early did Caroline make the acquaintance of representatives of the English nation over which, with her husband, she was one day to reign.
FOOTNOTES TO BOOK I, CHAPTER III:
[9] Leibniz to the Princess Caroline of Ansbach, Hanover, 18th March, 1705.
[10] Letter of Princess Caroline to Leibniz, Ansbach, 2nd April, 1705.
[11] Gay, in his Epistle to a Lady, also alludes to this incident:—
“The pomp of titles easy faith might shake,
She scorned an empire, for religion’s sake”
[12] Poley’s Despatch, Hanover, 9th June, 1705.
[13] Poley’s Despatch, Hanover, 19th June, 1705.