Hussein, the Crown Prince of Jordan, will marry Rajwa Al Saif on June 1, 2023 at Zahran Palace. The bride, the daughter of a Saudi businessman, works at the architectural firm Designlab Experience. She is a first cousin twice removed of the current King of Saudi Arabia and a second cousin once removed of the Saudi Crown Prince.
As we learned from previous Jordanian weddings, there are a week’s worth of activities leading up to the big event, so we are opening this post early and it will remain here for your commenting pleasure until the day after the wedding. Discuss the engagement photos and the Henna Party. Speculate on dress designers and/or tiaras! We ask only that you please stay on the topic of this particular wedding! Thanks!
Schedule of Events
The wedding will be held at 4:00 p.m. (JO) local time.
- Arrival of guests at Zahran Palace
- Katb Al Kitab
- Travel to Al Husseiniyah Palace
- Arrival of guests at Al Husseiniyah
- Banquet (private)
Royal Guests
The list of royal guests is growing, so we’ll add to it if we hear more.
- The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark
- The Princess Takamado (Japan)
- Princess Tsuguko of Takamado (Japan)
- Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg
- The King and Queen of Malaysia
- King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands
- Amalia, The Princess of Orange
- Crown Prince Haakon of Norway
- Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel, the Duke of Västergötland
- The King Emeritus and Queen Emerita of Spain
- The Duchess of Lugo (Spain)
- King Philippe and The Duchess of Brabant
- Margareta & Prince Radu of Romania
- Prince and Princess of Wales
Engagement
The Royal Hashemite Court announced the couple’s engagement in August 2022. An engagement ceremony took place at the home of Al Saif’s father, and we got a glimpse of what promises to be intriguing style choices from Rajwa. She was in a stunning Orient 499 abaya, accessorized with a belt borrowed from Queen Rania.
In a photo shared by the Crown Prince, Rajwa wore a blue dress with pleats by the Greek brand Costarellos.
She chose a high-necked white midi for her next set of engagement photos.
In the most casual of the engagement portraits, we saw the Henry Winston engagement ring most clearly – and a pair of earrings borrowed from Queen Rania.
Queen Rania’s Tribute
It’s a family tradition at this point! The Queen released a sentimental video honoring her soon-to-be-married son. Yes, I got some dust in my eyes as I watched it.
Like for Princess Iman, @QueenRania shared a lovely video honouring Crown Prince Al Hussein before his wedding to Rajwa on June 1st.
🎥 Queen Rania pic.twitter.com/4zAlCODRGG
— ChristinZ (@ChristinsQueens) May 20, 2023
Henna Party
Monday the queen hosted a Henna Party for the bride. She posted an Instagram video to show some of the local crafts made by artisans for the event.
Queen Rania wore a bespoke Saiid Kobeisy, and the bride wore a custom outfit with a veil by Saudi designer Honayda. Rajwa’s mother, Mrs Azza bint Nayef Abdulaziz Ahmed Al-Sudairi, wore a teal gown. The event was filled with food, family, and dancing. And henna! The application of intricate designs to the hands and feet is a central part of the affair, as is the gathering of women offering advice and congratulations to the bride. The Queen made a speech – which she is very, very good at – and the bride wiped away a tear or two.
Close ups of Rajwa Al Saif at her Henna Party yesterday ✨
Simply stunning 😍 pic.twitter.com/4WR4yiUIVc
— CoutureAndRoyals (@CoutureRoyals) May 23, 2023
Rajwa’s caftan is of traditional Nadji Saudi design and is intricately embroidered with Arabian motifs. The groom’s sisters, Princesses Iman and Salma, were both in attendance. Princess Iman wore a silk dress with lace details in lilac, and Princess Salma wore a caftan in a rich red.
Banquet
On May 31, the evening of the wedding, King Abdullah of Jordan will host a banquet in honor of the wedding of Crown Prince Hussein and Rajwa Al Saif.
Wedding Ceremony – Guests
The Crown Princess is wearing the “Alize” Floral Print Maxi Satin dress by Malina.
Queen Maxima repeated her Luisa Beccaria dress in blue, with the spectacular Moonstone and “Blue Gem” necklace.
Princess Elisabeth is wearing a vibrant caped dress by Essentiel Antwerp.
Jetsun Pema is always gorgeous in her traditional dress. She is with her sister-in-law Princess Euphelma of Bhutan.
Beautiful photo of Hisako and Tsuguko.
Wedding Ceremony – Bride and Groom
The beautiful bride wore a custom Elie Saab gown with a new tiara.
Wedding Banquet
Ah….don’t we love the sight of tiaras in the evening around here!
The Princess of Orange wore a red Jan Taminiau gown with the Peacock Ruby tiara. Her mother wore a sparkly dress with the ‘smaller’ version of the Stuart.
Crown Princess Victoria wore the Laurel Wreath tiara and the Safiyaa ‘Ginkgo’ cape gown in pink.