Queen Rania of Jordan organized, on May 22, 2023, the henna evening of her future daughter-in-law, Rajwa Al Saif, in Amman. During this ceremony, which took place in particular in the presence of the princesses Iman and Salma, the wife of King Abdallah paid tribute to the young woman who will unite her destiny with that of Crown Prince Hussein, on June 1st.
She cannot hold back her tears while listening to the sovereign’s touching statement. This May 22, 2023, Queen Rania of Jordan is organizing the traditional henna evening in honor of Rajwa Al Saif, the fiancée of her eldest son, Crown Prince Hussein. Both will marry on June 1 in a ceremony at the Zahran Palace in Amman. “I will never forget the joy that His Majesty and I felt when Hussein announced to us that he wanted to marry Rajwa. She is the perfect answer to all the prayers that I have made for him,” says the wife of King Abdallah II to Rajwa Al Saif whom she describes as “sweetest” and “most beautiful of future brides”.
A dress that pays tribute to the two countries of Rajwa
On this Monday evening, Rania of Jordan gathered at the Madareb Bani Hashem of the Royal Hashemite Court many guests, including her two daughters, Princess Iman and Princess Salma, and her mother-in-law, Princess Muna. Rajwa’s mother, Azza Al Sudairi, is also present along with other members of the Al Saif family and women from across the Jordanian kingdom. For the occasion, the queen called on Beanstalk, seduced by the artisanal and delicate work of this Amman-based design company.
Seeing Rajwa arrive, Rania from Jordan hugs the one she already considers her “third daughter”. The future wife of Crown Prince Hussein then kisses her mother Azza and the princesses Iman and Salma to whom she is very close. Rajwa shines in her dress by Saudi designer Honayda Serafi, made especially for her henna party. “What I am particularly proud of is sharing the love story between the Crown Prince and Rajwa in the drawing itself,” Honayda Serafi explains to the daily. Arab News.
To create this outfit, the designer drew inspiration from the thobe, a long garment traditionally worn by men, from the Najd region of Saudi Arabia, where Rajwa’s family is from, reports Arab News. “The thobe is known for its long sleeves. They are so long that they become the veil of the bride’s dress,” says Honayda Serafi.
“The color white usually symbolizes purity and elegance. And the fact that a bride wears white has a beautiful meaning. However, the henna dress is not really known to be white. a modern and new approach”, she adds. While Rajwa’s dress above all pays homage to her native country, it also includes symbols of her new homeland, such as the seven-pointed white star found on the Jordanian flag.
Rania’s promise to Rajwa’s mother
Traditional dances and music from Jordan and Saudi Arabia punctuate these celebrations. Henna designs are also offered to the guests who warmly congratulate the future bride, her loved ones and the Hashemite royal family. “I am very happy that you are all here to celebrate with us. Today is a special day for us and for our whole Jordanian family: our joy is one and the same. Near or far, you are all in our hearts today,” Queen Rania said at the dinner party later that evening.
If the sovereign honors Rajwa, she does not forget the mother of the young woman. “Hussein and we will take the utmost care of her. This is her country, and she is among her family and her people,” she said, turning to Azza Al Sudairi. A promise that goes straight to his heart. “As mothers, the only thing we really want is to make sure our children are happy,” adds Rania, who has a very close relationship with her two sons and two daughters.
In a week, the wife of Abdallah II will marry her eldest, less than three months after the union of Princess Iman with Jameel Alexander Thermiotis. These festivities will take place at Zahran Palace in Amman, where the Hashemite rulers said “yes” to each other thirty years ago. A procession will then lead the newlyweds to Al Husseiniya Palace where a reception and dinner will be held. Princes and princesses from all over the world will meet there to celebrate the union of Rajwa and Hussein in style.
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