To return to the Crown Princess's account of the coronation. She contrives to give in comparatively few words an unforgettable picture of the _coup d'oeil_ in the chapel--the Knights of the Black Eagle in their red velvet cloaks, the various colours of the uniforms, and the diamonds and Court dresses of the ladies, all harmonised by the sun pouring in through the high windows. The Princess says that she herself was in gold with ermine and white satin, while one of her ladies wore blue and the other red velvet. "Dearest Fritz was in a great state of emotion and excitement, as we all were." The King looked so handsome and noble with the crown on, and the moment when he put the crown on the Queen's head was so touching that there was hardly a dry eye in the chapel. The Princess's keen sense of humour was stirred by the large assemblage of princes and other notables. "Half Europe is here, and one sees the funniest combinations in the world. It is like a happy family shut up in a cage!" and she mentions as an example the Italian Ambassador sitting close to a Cardinal. There is also a young prince of Hesse who nearly dies of fright and shyness among so many people; he at once excites the sympathy of the warm-hearted Princess, though she herself had no experience of the agonies of shyness. But the Princess was even more diverted by a compliment which the King paid her: "The King gave me a charming little locket for his hair, and only think--what will sound most extraordinary, absurd, and incredible to your ears--made me second _Chef_ of the 2nd Regiment of Hussars! I laughed so much, because really I thought it was a joke--it seemed so strange for ladies; but the Regiments like particularly having ladies for their _Chefs_! The Queen and the Queen Dowager have Regiments, but I believe I am the first Princess on whom such an honour is conferred." Possibly the Princess thought at first that she was being appointed honorary cook to the regiment! In any case it is curious that she should not have known of the custom of conferring such distinctions on Royal ladies, which obtains in the British Army as well as on the Continent.