Item 80 - Letter from Paul François Hubrecht to Sir George Trevelyan

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Prinsegracht 10, 's Gravenhage:- Has just been talking to Elizabeth about arrangements on the day of the wedding, and thinks it 'will be in the interests of the young people and will prevent possible misunderstandings' if 'all those arrangements are made for them... without their cooperation' by Sir George and Hubrecht for the day of the marriage ceremony and its 'accompanying functions'. Up to now they have 'arranged many things according to their own choosing', but Hubrecht thinks it will be 'more satisfactory if Sir George and Lady Trevelyan's wishes, with those of Hubrecht and his wife, were 'given a decisive voice in the matter'.

Hopes Sir George will therefore let him know as soon as he can whether after the civil ceremony, 'which in this country must always precede the religious', he wishes to have the marriage 'consecrated 'at the English Church 'according to the rites of the Church of England', by 'any other form of religious ceremony' performed by a clergyman invited to Hubrecht's house, or 'would prefer to do without it entirely'.

Also asks who should be invited to the 'wedding luncheon' which he and his wife propose giving 'after the various ceremonies are over', to which they themselves 'intend to invite a limited circle of relations and friends', as well as the British consul from Rotterdam [Henry Turing], who is expected by Dutch law to attend the civil marriage ceremony. He and his wife will be pleased to invite any of the Trevelyan's relations and friends, either in the Netherlands or England.