His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to attend the Majlis Istiadat Bersuruh Diraja ceremony yesterday to mark the start of the royal wedding between Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah and Pengiran Haji Muhammad Ruzaini bin Pg Dr Haji Mohd Yakub at the Baitur Rahmah of the Istana Nurul Iman.

Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen.

The Majlis Bersuruh Diraja, which refers to a marriage proposal or declaration of acceptance, began with Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd Zain bin Haji Seruddin informing YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar that the ceremony was set to begin.

YAM Pg Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pg Anak Haji Abdul Aziz, in response, instructed Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd Zain to seek an audience with His Majesty to inform that the ceremony was ready to begin.

His Majesty, in a titah, welcomed the attendance of Pengiran Dr Haji Mohd Yakub to convey the intention and, along with members of the royal family, accepted the purpose with good reasons whilst seeking for Allah the Almighty's blessings.

His Majesty noted that the "Istiadat Bersuruh" marks the start of organising plans for the royal wedding ceremony and granted the Gendang Jaga-Jaga, which will be assumed by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah.

The father of the groom, Pengiran Dr Haji Mohd Yakub, had earlier sought an audience with His Majesty to hand over his son and convey his intention.

The royal wedding ceremony will continue with the Gendang Jaga-Jaga to be held in Lapau today.

The ceremony also saw the attendance of Pengiran-Pengiran Cheterias, state dignitaries, Cabinet Ministers, diplomatic corps and other distinguished guests. - Borneo Bulletin (17 September 2012)