
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 18, 1995                   TAG: 9503210039
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MADRID, SPAIN                                LENGTH: Short

SEVILLE IN FULL SWING FOR ROYAL WEDDING

You may not be able to say it in one breath, but it's on the lips of all of Spain:

Elena Maria Isabel Domenica de Silos de Borbon y Grecia is marrying Jaime Rafael Ramos Maria de Marichalar y Saenz de Tejada today.

The marriage in Seville of the 31-year-old daughter of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia has captivated her country.

She hopes to lead a normal life, but that may be a challenge. While unhampered by scandals, Spain's royal family has a tough time staying out of the spotlight.

Tens of thousands of Spaniards are expected to throng the streets of the southern city as Elena, second in line to the Spanish throne, is wedded to a banker eight months her junior in Seville's Gothic cathedral.

Millions more Spaniards and others around the world are expected to watch the pageantry on live broadcasts that began Friday, when Elena and her fiance will join 14,000 spectators at Seville's bullring for a performance by the Royal Equestrian School. Elena is an accomplished horsewoman who competes in international meets.

Marichalar, a banker at Credit Suisse, is not at all fond of flashing cameras and questioning reporters. Elena, a teacher who specialized in English and learning disabilities, has inherited her paternal grandmother's passion for the bullfights.

Among the guests expected are Britain's Prince Charles, Queen Beatrice of the Netherlands, Queen Paola of Belgium, Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Rainier of Monaco.

by CNB