Bandar Seri Begawan - Regarded as the grandest wedding ceremony of the year, the marriage of Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah, the fourth child of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu`izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, to Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Khairul Khalil bin Pengiran Syed Haji Jaafari in June of this year, was the most memorable event for everyone in the country.
The Royal Wedding, which consisted of 11 ceremonies, was steeped in traditional Brunei Royal Custom.
All the ceremonies took place in four venues, namely at the Istana Nurul Iman, Darul Karamah, which is the groom`s residence in Beribi, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, as well as at the Lapau ceremonial hall in the capital.
The two-week long ceremony began with the attendance of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei to the "Istiadat Bersuruh Diraja" ceremony held at Istana Nurul Iman. Also present were His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, HRH Prince `Abdul Malik and HRH Prince `Abdul Mateen.
On the following day, the "Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga" was officially opened by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince at the Lapau ceremonial hall to formally herald the start of the celebrations of the royal wedding and the start of performances for the royal court musicians. While in the night, the Majlis Istiadat Menjunjung Kurnia Gendang Jaga Jaga took place at Darul Karamah.
"Istiadat Menghantar Tanda Diraja" took place on June 3 and "Istiadat Menghantar Pertunangan Diraja" was held on June 4.
At the "Istiadat Berbedak Pengantin Diraja", His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Raja Isteri PengiranAnak Hjh Saleha and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar applied powder paste on the royal bride and groom at the Istana Nurul Iman and Darul Karamah respectively.
One day after the "Istiadat Berbedak Pengantin Diraja", His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam attended the "Istiadat Akad Nikah Diraja" of Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah to YAM Pengiran Anak Khairul Khalil bin Pengiran Syed Hj Jaafari at the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital.
On June 9, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di- Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha and Her Royal Highness Pengiran` Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar, applied the henna paste on the Royal Couple at the "Istiadat Berinai Diraja" at Istana Nurul Iman.
The climax of the Royal Wedding ceremony fell on June 10 where the "Istiadat Persandingan Diraja" at Istana Nurul Iman was held.
This was followed by a procession around the town area where members of the public were able to catch a glimpse of the newly-wed on a motor-driven carriage.
To celebrate the Royal Wedding, prominent figures around the region were in attendance as guests at the Royal Banquet or "Majlis Istiadat Persantapan Diraja".
Among the invited guests were Senior Minister of Singapore Gob Chok Tong, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Datin Jeanne Abdullah and Malaysia`s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Dato Seri Hj Mohd Najib Tun Hj Abd Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Hj Abdul Taib Mahmud.
The royal Couple then attended the "Istiadat Pengantin Diraja Mulih Tiga Hari" (a ceremony held three days after the wedding) on June 13.
Capping off the two-week long ceremonies, "Istiadat Menutup Gendang Jaga-Jaga" was held on June 14.
The Grand Royal Wedding ceremony attracted the attention of foreign media agencies which included Reuters, AFP, European press photo agencies, as well regional television and newspapers such as MediaCorp News Pte Ltd`s Channel News Asia, Malaysia`s Berita Harian and Straits Times.
Source: www.brudirect.com (31 Desember 2007)
