The ‘Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja’ ceremony for the royal couple, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Anisha Rosnah binti Adam, took place in full pomp and pageantry, steeped in royal traditions, at the lavishly decorated Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana or royal throne hall of Istana Nurul Iman on Sunday.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji ‘Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam graced the ceremony, with members of the royal family.
Among the thousands of guests attending the glittering ceremony marking the climax of more than a week of royal wedding ceremonies were special guests from abroad made up of regional and international royalty and leaders.
Special guests of His Majesty include Malaysian Yang Di Pertuan Agong His Majesty Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah; King of Bhutan His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema; Indonesian President Joko Widodo; Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr; Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Sporting a tiara over a white veil and wedding dress while clutching a bouquet adorned with precious stones, the royal bride was escorted into the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana.
Upon reaching the bridal dais, the royal bride, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Anisha Rosnah was taken to her seat on the bridal dais.
The royal ceremony then proceeded with the arrival of the Royal groom, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
Handsomely dressed in a royal ceremonial outfit, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Mateen made a grand entrance into Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana flanked by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah where at the main door, the royal groom was then escorted by State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz and accompanied by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar along with the other members of the royal groom entourage.
HRH Prince ‘Abdul Mateen was led to the royal dais by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz after which His Majesty then walked up to the royal dais and placed HRH Prince ‘Abdul Mateen right hand on the head of HRH’s bride 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 out 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. HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik then ‘Menjunjung Anugeraha’ to invite the royal newly-weds to depart from the ceremony.
The royal couple left their seats and made their way flanked by HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik. They then departed from the royal ceremonial hall the procession around the capital. – Lyna Mohammad
More details on Monday’s Borneo Bulletin
