Jordan’s crown prince marries Saudi architect in royal ceremony

Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah of Jordan and his Saudi fiancée Rajwa al-Saif got married in a grand ceremony on Thursday, attended by royals and other VIPs from around the world, reported Khaleej Times.

The wedding took place at Zahran Palace in Amman, which was also where Hussein’s parents, King Abdullah and Queen Rania, were married 30 years ago.

Guests included Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate, as well as First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden. US climate envoy John Kerry, Former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and members of European and Asian royal families were also in attendance, added the report.

Royal fever sweeps Jordan ahead of crown prince’s wedding

Queen Rania shared moments from the wedding on her Instagram feed, congratulating the couple.

The bride, who has Saudi royal ties though her mother Azza al-Sudairi, wore an elegant white dress by Lebanese designer Elie Saab and arrived at Zahran Palace in a 1968 Rolls-Royce Phantom V custom-made for the crown prince’s late great grandmother, added Khaleej Times.

The newlyweds later emerged from the palace in a white custom Range Rover escorted by a motorcade and a military marching band for a parade in the streets.

The newlyweds travelled to Al Husseiniya Palace, 30 minutes away, for the reception. There, they were welcomed with a traditional zaffeh, a lively musical procession featuring drums, dancing, singing and clapping.

The royals greeted more than 1,700 guests at the reception, which featured live music and a banquet. The celebrations were capped with a fireworks display.

Experts consider the marriage an advantageous alliance for the Hashemites, the royal family of Jordan, as it may help forge a strategic bond with its oil-rich neighbour Saudi Arabia added the report.

Hussein is the oldest of Abdullah and Rania’s four children. After graduating from Georgetown University, he joined the military. In recent years he has been appearing more frequently on the international stage, accompanying his father to official engagements. He is named after his grandfather, who died in 1999, but remains popular and respected in the Hashemite Kingdom.

Al-saif graduated from Syracuse University and is an architect. She was bequeathed the titled of Her Royal Highness Princess Rajwa Al Hussein, according to a royal decree.

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