Jordan witnessed today, Thursday, the marriage ceremony of Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and Saudi Rajwa Al Saif, attended by members of ruling families from the Middle East and around the world. The ceremony was held at Zahran Palace, built in Amman in the mid-1950s, which has hosted previous royal weddings, including the marriage of King Abdullah II and the late King Hussein bin Talal before him.
The 28-year-old prince and his 28-year-old bride signed their marriage contract in the presence of Imam Ahmad Khalayla, along with their families and approximately 140 guests. Guests were welcomed by the king and his wife, Queen Rania, at Zahran Palace, accompanied by military tunes before the bride's arrival with her brother-in-law, Prince Hashem bin Abdullah II, in a black 1968 Rolls Royce. The bride wore a white dress with a long veil and adorned herself with a silver tiara. The Crown Prince of Jordan wore a black suit embroidered in gold, resembling the design of his father's wedding suit and that of his grandfather, King Abdullah I.
The contract was also signed by the Jordanian monarch, the bride’s father, Khalid Al Saif, and former Crown Prince Hassan bin Talal, the king's uncle. The streets of the kingdom were decorated with photos of the couple and banners reading "We rejoice in Hussein," while thousands of Jordanians lined the streets along the royal wedding route to see and celebrate the couple.
Attendees included the Prince of Wales, William, and his wife, Princess Kate Middleton, the wife of U.S. President Jill Biden, King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander and his wife, the King of Belgium Philippe and Princess Elizabeth, Danish Crown Prince Frederik Christian and his wife. Also present were the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed, the mother of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikha Moza, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the King of Malaysia, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, and others.
The wedding procession traveled from Zahran Palace through the main streets leading to Al Husseiniya Palace, with the Red Procession designated for significant events. During King Abdullah I's reign, white horses were used in such processions until cars became the norm. Traditionally, soldiers wearing red and white shemaghs lead the red procession, accompanying the couple's car with eight vehicles and eleven motorcycles. On some occasions, horses and camels, along with a military band playing bagpipes, were also employed for such celebrations.
