Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan marries Rajwa Alsaif later today. Here’s what you need to know about the royal wedding.
The pair will wed at Zahran Palace in an Islamic ceremony that the Royal Hashemite Court says the ceremony will be “an elegant and understated religious ceremony befitting of a Hashemite descendant of the Prophet Mohammad.”
After the wedding, the couple will travel to Al Husseiniya Palace in a motorcade for their reception. The reception will “feature a diverse line-up of performers paying tribute to the Crown Prince’s military career, his bride’s Saudi Arabian heritage, and traditional Jordanian artistry. At each of the wedding venues, guests will be privy to a distinctive setup incorporating simple modern decor merged with Islamic art, Jordanian handicrafts, and the country’s native flora.”
Their wedding logo, revealed two weeks ago, features the first initial of each of their names in Arabic to form the word “Nafrah,” which means “We rejoice” in English.
The wedding will begin at 4 pm local time with around 140 people, including the Jordanian Royal Family, the Alsaif family, foreign royals and international dignitaries. The Islamic ceremony in Zahran Palace’s garden is known as a “katb ktab.” Royal Hashemite Court Imam Dr Ahmed Al Khalaileh will preside over the ceremony.
Unlike in Western weddings, Rajwa will not be escorted by her father down the aisle. Instead, her new brother-in-law, Prince Hashem, will walk her into the garden. The ceremony will consist of the signing of the marriage contract and words by the Imam before several women perform the Zaghrata (ululation). This is a sound made to express happiness in Jordanian and Arab celebrations.
After greeting their guests, Crown Prince Hussein and Crown Princess Rajwa will travel in the Red Motorcade to greet the people on the way to Al Husseiniya Palace. The couple will be greeted by a musical procession (called a Zaffeh) before walking under an honorary Arch of Sabers.
The newlyweds will join their parents on stage to welcome the 1,700 guests. The reception will consist of several performances by singers, troupes, a choir group, bands and the national orchestra. It will conclude with the cutting of the wedding cake.
A banquet will follow for the couple, the Jordanian Royal Family, foreign royals and heads of state and high-ranking officials. It will contain elements of a state banquet and wedding ceremony.
You can find a list here of who we know is attending.
If you want to watch the wedding, you can do so at Roya TV, which will be live-streaming the full event.
