02 June 2023 , 12:37
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It was one of the most eagerly anticipated weddings of the year and saw the heir to the throne of Jordan marry his glamorous bride.
So it's no wonder that the wedding of Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan and his new wife Rajwa was fit for a future King.
The wedding celebrations took place across two palaces in the Jordanian capital Amman and had VIP guests that include the Prince and Princess of Wales, who dazzled in a stunning tiara.
So exactly what were the lavish nuptials really like? Here we take a look...
Garden ceremony
The wedding between Hussein and Rajwa kicked off yesterday afternoon with a marriage ceremony held at Zahran Palace.
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Crown Prince Hussein and his wife Rajwa (Jordanian Royal Palace/AFP via G)The groom's parents King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan personally greeted the 140 guests who were invited to the service, including William and Kate.
The couple married in an Islamic marriage ceremony known as a "katb ktab" held in a gazebo in the garden of the palace and conducted by the Royal Hashemite Court Imam Dr Ahmed Al Khalaileh.
William and Kate at the wedding (PA)The bride wore a traditional white wedding dress by the designer Elie Saab.
After the royal nuptials, several women performed Zaghrata – ululation – a joyous sound commonly used to express happiness at Jordanian and Arab celebrations, and the newlyweds greeted their guests.
Star-studded guest list
Joining the bride and groom's families for the wedding ceremony were royalty and leaders from around the world.
Among the most recognisable were William and Kate, who flew out to Jordan under the radar, to join the celebrations, with the princess wearing a blush-pink high-neck gown by Elie Saab.
Princess Beatrice at the wedding with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (PA)
US First Lady Jill Biden with daughter Ashley (PA)Also representing the British contingent was William's cousin Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
Among others who attended were King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden and the King of Belgium and his heir Princess Elisabeth.
The United States was represented by First Lady Jill Biden and daughter Ashley while others spotted included Rwanda's President Paul Kagame.
Stunning procession
After the ceremony, the newlyweds emerged from the Zahran Palace in a white custom Range Rover.
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It was escorted by several bright red Land Rovers, motorcycles and a military marching band — a nod to the traditional horse-mounted processions during the reign of the country’s founder, King Abdullah I.
The newlyweds in their royal red motorcade (Jordanian Royal Palace/AFP via G)The motorcade drove through Amman to the Al Husseiniya Palace, a 30-minute drive away, for the reception.
The kingdom declared a public holiday yesterday so crowds of people could gather to wave at the couple’s motorcade amid a heavy security presence across the city.
Lavish reception with huge cake
Once at the Al Husseiniya Palace, Hussein and Rajwa walked beneath an arch of swords and were welcomed with a traditional zaffeh, a lively musical procession featuring drums, dancing, singing and clapping.
The royals greeted more than 1,700 guests at the reception, which featured live music and a banquet.
The couple walked beneath an arch of swords (Jordanian Royal Palace/AFP via G)
The newlyweds cut their seven tier cake (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)Among the guests spotted by eagle-eyed royal fans were Kate's mum Carole and her sister Pippa along with her husband James Matthews.
The celebrations were capped with a fireworks display that could be seen across the capital and the cutting of an epic seven-tier wedding cake.
Tiaras galore
But the celebrations weren't over, a white tie reception for guests followed with a change of outfit for the bride.
She donned a Dolce and Gabbana gown for the reception, while many of the royal guests wore tiaras.
Kate in the Lover's Knot tiara
Rajwa wore a second wedding dress (Jordanian Royal Palace/AFP via G)Among them was Kate in the Lover's Knot tiara, a favourite of hers that was often worn by the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
Meanwhile, also getting just her second tiara moment was Beatrice, who opted to wear the York tiara.
The piece was gifted by the late Queen to Beatrice's mother Sarah Ferguson and the wedding was the first time it had been seen in over 20 years.