LONDON 5 November 1677

Prince William of Orange and his bride, Princess Mary, were married last night in a quiet, private ceremony in her apartments at St James's Palace.

The Prince is twelve years older than the fifteen-year-old Princess, but she towers over him, being nearly six feet tall. The Prince, who suffers from asthma, is slightly stooped and as a Calvinist prefers to dress austerely, unlike the fops at the English court. The Princess looked as if she had been crying.

The wedding was attended only by members of the Royal Family; unfortunately the bride's sister, Princess Anne, is in bed with smallpox. Their stepmother, Mary Beatrice, Duchess of York, is big with child and King Charles II urged the officiating clergyman to hurry up, lest the Duchess give birth to a male heir on the spot and William be disappointed of his hopes of the succession.

After her father, James, Duke of York, the Princess is heiress presumptive to the throne.

Afterwards, a traditional bedding ceremony took place. The King, who was rather drunk by this time, jocularly asked his nephew why he was keeping his woollen drawers on in bed. Clearly, Prince William does not share the King's bawdy sense of humour and solemnly replied that since they were to be married a long time, the Princess should get used to his habits straight away.

It was all very embarrassing and the couple must have winced as with a cry of 'To your work, nephew! For England and St George!' the King pulled the bed curtains closed with a final flourish.

Court observers soon noted that William had run out of patience with his adolescent pride and there was some indignation when he only danced with her once at Queen Catherine's birthday ball.