Arab News

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Rajwa Al-Saif, who will now be known as Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein, tied the knot with Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II of Jordan on June 1 in Amman in a highly-publicized event.

The glowing bride arrived at Zahran Palace and was walked down the aisle by the crown prince’s younger brother, Prince Hashem.

For her bridal look, the future queen of Jordan wore a classic white gown from celebrity-loved Lebanese coutourier Elie Saab.

The full-sleeved modest gown featured a dramatic veil that trailed for several meters behind her and stood out for its focus-pulling draped neckline.

She accessorized the look with a stunning tiara and matching diamond earrings, along with white strappy shoes, as she held a bouquet with white flowers. For his part, the crown prince donned a suit that draws inspiration from the design worn by King Abdullah II on his wedding day in 1993. The suit’s sleeves paid homage to the style favored by both King Abdullah II and King Abdullah I.

Jordan’s ever fashionable Queen Rania wore a gown by French label Dior. The embroidered gown hails from the luxury label’s Fall 2022 couture collection.

Kate, Princess of Wales, and William, Prince of Wales, were among the high-profile royal guests at the ceremony.

For the highly-anticipated occassion, Kate represented the Arab world in an elegant Elie Saab gown from the brand’s Fall/Winter 2017 coutoure collection.

The pastel piece featured a high neck, full bell-shaped sleeves as well as embroidery and lace detailing.

She accessorized the look with a metallic clutch.

Prince WIlliam wore a classic navy suit, paired with a white shirt and a blue tie.

US first lady Jill Biden, accompanied by her daughter Ashley Biden, wore a light purple gown by Lebanese designer Reem Acra. She was also spotted wearing the dress in April during a state dinner at the White House.

The bride stayed true to her Saudi roots at her May 22 henna night by wearing a custom-made gown by Saudi celebrity-loved designer Honayda Serafi. 

The designer took inspiration from the Al-Shaby thobe of the Najd region in Saudi Arabia, where Al-Saif’s family is from. 

“The brief was that she wanted to wear something very modest and something from Saudi Arabian culture, but with a modern twist. She wanted the piece to be very elegant, and she also wanted it to be white,” Serafi previously told Arab News. 

Apart from the references to Al-Saif’s Saudi heritage, the dress also featured nods to Jordanian culture.

Serafi included the seven-pointed white star that is present on the Jordanian national flag, which symbolized the seven verses of Surat Al-Fatiha in the Qur’an.

Other details in the dress included Saudi Arabia’s palm trees, which symbolize life and vitality, as well as a verse by famous Tunisian poet Aboul Qacem Echebbi, which translates to, “When my eyes see you, life becomes right,” etched into the dress in Arabic lettering.

“My intention behind designing this dress was to document the eternal love and the history of the royal wedding. And, of course, I have used traditional threads and it is all hand embroidered,” said Serafi.

“This is a big moment for the brand to be part of such a historical (event). It is such an honor and I feel that I’m very, very proud to represent Saudi designers, as well as to communicate to the new generation how to not only honor Saudi Arabia’s historical identity and heritage, but to express it in a modern way,” she added.