Thousands of locals and foreign visitors cheered on the newly-wedded His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Anisha Rosnah binti Adam as they greeted the public during the Royal Procession through the capital yesterday.
Nasrullah Mohammed and his son Raihan arrived at the capital at 6.30am. “I am here to enjoy the celebration with my son,” he said to the Bulletin. “I also wanted to show him how the people are working to make sure everything goes smoothly for the Royal Procession,” he added. He said they woke up early and were very excited to get a glimpse of the royal couple.
Nor Athirah, who also arrived at around 6am, said she had been following His Royal Highness on social media since childhood.
“It’s a heartbreaking moment today,” she said. “When I was a student participating in national events, we would always scream when seeing His Royal Highness.” She was thrilled and excited to see the ceremonies during the royal wedding, as the whole world is watching the extravagant event, she added.
Among the cheering public were thousands of students and teachers lining up along the Royal Procession route to celebrate the royal couple.
Principal of Chung Hwa Middle School Bandar Seri Begawan (CHMS BSB) Kho Guik Lan said they felt privileged to be part of the celebration. “The students and teachers are very excited to be able to catch a glimpse of the royal couple,” she said. Around 350 students and staff members from the school were attending.
She said the Ministry of Education had provided food and drinks, as well as umbrellas to help with the hot weather. The principal said that the school would like to wish the royal couple a lifetime of happiness and love.
Nuraini, a teacher from Selangan Primary School in Temburong, said she and some 14 students were very excited to try and catch a glimpse of the royal couple during the procession. “The students who are here are in Years 4, 5 and 6. They have been very excited since yesterday,” she said.
She also shared well-wishes for the royal couple. “May the years ahead be filled with long-lasting love and happiness.”
Marie Withers, an English language teacher at Sultan Hassan Primary School, Temburong, also cheered on the royal couple with students and colleagues. “This is the first time I have witnessed a royal procession,” she said. “I’ve been in Brunei for only a year, and I am very excited to be here.”
She did not have a chance to catch other parts of the royal wedding ceremonies, because she didn’t have a TV yet. “I hope to watch it online,” she said. “May today be a happy day for a start of a wonderful life together (for the royal couple).”
CELEBRANTS FROM AFAR
Lam Kwong Sing and his wife Winnie Lui from Hong Kong were among the crowds gathered at the roadside along the capital for the procession after learning about the event by chance.
“This is the first time that we visited Brunei,” said Lam. “We arrived from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei after we found a cheap return airfare. We only found out about the royal wedding during our first night here after I watched the coverage on TV,” he said.
“Today, we are here to try and see the royal couple in person,” he said, and wished the royal couple a “blessed and happy marriage”.
While they were in the country, they visited a mosque, Kampong Ayer and a night market. “I feel people in Brunei are very friendly, warm and courteous.
“They are always smiling. It is quite a big difference from Hong Kong where life is quite stressful. I also tried ambuyat, and I really liked it,” he said.
John van der Marel, an expat teacher, was also excited for the Royal Procession, which he watched with his wife and children.
“It is great to be out here in the capital to see all the people gathered here. We are also very excited to celebrate the special day and to see the royal couple.”
He wished the royal couple a peaceful and wonderful life together, and to share the love they have for each other with the people of Brunei and the world. “The royal couple are very influential,” he said.
Amy, an English language teacher from the United Kingdom, is leading a visit to the Sultanate with 10 students from South Korea.
“It is similar to the royal wedding in England, where people were camping out for five days,” she said.
Sofea and Yun, two of the students from South Korea, said they were excited to watch a royal procession for the first time.
Putri, an Indonesian expat, arrived in the capital for the procession at 8am with her three siblings and their children.
“I am excited as our Indonesian President Dato Laila Utama Joko Widodo is among the invited guests along with other world leaders for the royal wedding,” she said.
CHEERS FROM THE NATION
In Kuala Belait, Suraya binti Haji Salleh and her family members crowded around the TV, joining many others around the nation to watch yesterday’s events.
She said while she was unable to physically attend the Royal Procession, being able to watch it live on TV was a great alternative.
“More importantly, it helps give the current generation an insight and understanding of the customs and traditions of a royal wedding,” she said.
Similarly, Hajah Sauyah binti Haji Matdon also said she was glad to be able to witness the historic moment live on TV.
“Seeing the beautiful newly-wed royal couple in their best dress and gowns going through the ceremony with the royal regalia on display shows how Brunei is strongly rooted in our traditions,” she said.
Both Suraya and Hajah Sauyah congratulated the royal couple on the momentous occasion. – James Kon, Azlan Othman & Daniel Lim
