THE ‘Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja’ ceremony for the royal couple, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and YAM Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah, took place amid pomp and pageantry, steeped in royal traditions, at the lavishly decorated Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana or royal throne hall of Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha attended the glittering ceremony that was also attended by over 5,000 guests, marking the climax of more than a week of royal wedding ceremonies.
The ceremony, which was conducted in full royal tradition, began with four Awang-Awang lighting a set of candles called the ‘Dian Empat’, before another pair of Awang-Awang placed the two-piece ‘Kasur Namat’ consisting of a yellow mattress and silk mat at the centre of the candles.
As part of the ceremonial proceedings, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Awang Haji Mohammad bin Haji Daud informed YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar that the ceremony was ready to begin.
His Majesty then consented for the ceremony to commence upon receiving the message from YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz that it was ready to begin.
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| His Majesty places His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik’s right hand on the head of YAM Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah during the ‘Menapak Tangan’ |
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| His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam; Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah; and other members of the royal family in a group picture after the ‘Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja’ ceremony for the royal couple, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and YAM Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah |
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| His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah at the ‘Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja’ ceremony |
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| Their Majesties sharing a light moment during the royal ceremony. |
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| His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam; Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah during the ‘Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja’ ceremony |
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The royal couple, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik and YAM Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiy-yah during the ‘Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja’ ceremony at Istana Nurul Iman
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Sporting a tiara over a yellowish-gold veil and wedding dress while clutching a bouquet adorned with precious stones, the royal bride was escorted into the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana and her seat on the bridal dais by Datin Dayang Hajah Edah binti Haji Mohd Noor, the spouse of Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib, the Speaker of the Legislative Council, Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Jahrah binti Haji Mohammad, the spouse of YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Education, and also the spouses of state dignitaries.
The royal bride was followed by a group of female ‘Pahawai’ and those carrying the Royal Regalia consisting of ‘Puan’, ‘Kabok and Panastan’, ‘Tarian’, ‘Kiap’, ‘Chupu’, ‘Pasigupan’, and ‘Kaskol’ with the ‘Dian 16’ carried by 16 Dayang-Dayang.
Forty men carrying the ‘Sinipit’, ‘Yang Mulia Juru Bini’, ‘Hulubalang Diraja’ carrying the ‘Pemuras’ and ‘Karga’, ‘Hulubalang Asgar’ carrying ‘Kalasak’ and ‘Kampalan’, ‘Awang-Awang’ carrying four ‘Dian Bunga’, ‘Nasi Tumpang’ and ‘Dian Tunggal’ and two ‘Kanak-Kanak Pahawai Laki-Laki’ carrying ‘Kiap’ and ‘Pasigupan’ as well as ‘Perhiasan Empat’ of His Royal Highness and also two ‘Pengangun Diraja’ entered the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana.
Prior to entering Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik underwent a ritual called ‘Membasuh Kaki’ (washing of the royal groom’s feet with scented water filled in a special ‘kiri’, a receptacle resembling a pitcher). This was followed by the sprinkling of yellow rice that is parried with a ‘kiap’.
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, dressed in a matching coloured Malay wedding outfit, then made a grand entrance escorted by HRH Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, YAM Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris, YAM Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim and Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria.
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| His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah upon arrival at the royal wedding |
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| HRH Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and YAM Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati binti Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman |
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| HRH Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and YAM Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah binti Dato Haji Nasir |
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| The royal groom, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik, accompanied by HRH Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and other members of the royal family arriving for the ‘Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja’ ceremony |
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| The royal couple, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik and YAM Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiy-yah leaving the ‘Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja’ ceremony at Istana Nurul Iman |
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| Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Nor’ain, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kal-thum Al-Islam, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Rakiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Nasibah and Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Babu Raja Pengiran Anak Hajah Besar, during the ‘Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja’ ceremony |
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik was led to the dias by State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned. His Majesty then led His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik to the bride seated on the royal dais and placed His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik’s right hand on the head of YAM Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah in a ritual called the ‘Menapak Tangan’ to signify their matrimony before leading the royal groom to his seat on the royal dais.
Following this, the ‘Selawat’ for Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was called by the State Mufti as the royal groom took his place next to the royal bride accompanied by 17-cannon fire shots echoed outside the Istana Nurul Iman to mark the occasion. This was followed by the recitation of the Doa Selamat by the State Mufti.
The royal newly-weds were then ushered by His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel as they left the royal throne hall.
Present at the ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and YAM Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and YAM Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati; His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Muta-Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah.
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| The royal couple, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and YAM Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raa-bi’atul ‘Adawiyyah, during the ‘Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja’ at Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana, Istana Nurul Iman |
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| Yang Di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, Tun Dato Laila Utama Pehin Sri Dr Haji Abdul Taib bin Mahmud and Chief Minister of Sabah, Dato Seri Paduka Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Musa bin Haji Aman at the royal wedding |
The lighting of the ‘Dian Empat’ at the start of the ceremony
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Among the Dayang-Dayang carrying the Royal Regalia.
PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI, BAHYIAH BAKIR & DEAN KASSIM |
Other royal family members in attendance included Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Nor’ain; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Rakiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Nasibah.
Regional and international leaders who were present included the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, Tun Dato Laila Utama Pehin Sri Dr Haji Abdul Taib bin Mahmud and spouse Toh Puan Datin Ragad Kurdi Taib; the Governor of Ha’il Region Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdul Mohsen; Chief Minister of Sabah, Dato Seri Paduka Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Musa bin Haji Aman and spouse Datin Seri Panglima Hajah Faridah binti Haji Tussin.
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