Verdala Palace wedding for President's son

The historic old chapel of St Anthony the Abbot inside the grounds of Verdala Palace, the 16th century summer residence of the President of the Republic at Buskett, yesterday was the venue of the marriage ceremony of President and Mrs de Marco's son Mario, a lawyer like his two sisters and his father, to Sharon Cordina, a senior researcher at the Malta Council for Science and Technology.

Dr de Marco, who graduated LL.D. from the University of Malta and LL.M. from Cambridge University, and his bride, who has a BA (Hons) and an MA, tied the knot in a beautiful wedding ceremony conducted by Mgr Fortunato P. Mizzi, who celebrated Nuptial Mass and read the Pope's blessing on the couple.

The bride is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Joseph Cordina of Sliema. Dr Mario de Marco is the youngest of three siblings. His sisters are Giannella Caruana Curran and Fiorella Camilleri de Marco.

The wedding ceremony was witnessed by Dr Anton Micallef for the groom and Ms Elena Bianchi, for the bride. Mr Adrian C. Hillman, MA (Sussex), M.Phil., was best man.

The bride wore an ivory gown, with a corded French lace bustier and a pure silk Duchess satin skirt. Given away by her father, she walked up the aisle holding a bouquet of fresh ivory roses, attended by her niece, Nicola Cordina, as bridesmaid.

Federica Camilleri de Marco, the groom's niece, and Michaela Giglio, Federica's cousin, who were flower-girls, wore pretty pastel flower garlands on their heads. Master Andrew Mallia, the bride's nephew, was pageboy.

A reception was later held at San Anton Palace for over 600 guests, who included many distinguished personalities including the Prime Minister and Mrs Fenech Adami, Archbishop Mercieca, Mr Speaker, Cabinet Ministers, MPs and foreign ambassadors.

The couple will be leaving tomorrow on their honeymoon, which they are spending in the Seychelles.