His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha consented to grace the Istiadat Berbedak Pengantin Diraja, a colourful ceremony of the royal wedding between Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah and Pengiran Haji Muhammad Ruzaini bin Pengiran Dr Haji Mohd Yakub last night at the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana of Istana Nurul Iman.

Accompanying His Majesty as part of the royal entourage 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, HRH Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, HRH Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, HRH Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim, HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik, HRH Prince 'Abdul Mateen and HRH Prince 'Abdul Wakeel as well as other members of the royal family.

Accompanying Her Majesty were Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah, HRH Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah, HRH Princess Hajah Muta-Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah, HRH Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah, HRH Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah and HRH Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah as well as other members of the royal family.

Shortly after the arrival of His Majesty and the royal entourage to the royal dais, YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar was informed by Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd Zain bin Haji Serudin that the Istiadat Berbedak Pengantin Diraja for HRH Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah was ready to begin.

His Majesty consented for the ceremony to begin after being informed by YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz.

The royal bride, accompanied by HRH Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah and HRH Princess Hajah Masna, made her entrance to the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana dressed in glittering traditional attire, a picturesque moment which brightened up the already colourfully lit hall.

It was a truly spectacular occasion for the invited guests dressed in a sea of white-coloured traditional attire.

With the "Dikir Syarafil Anam" or the "Dikir Marhaban" resonating in the hall, His Majety began the ceremonial powdering ritual or "Menculiki" on the palm of HRH Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah. This was followed by Her Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses in a ceremony steeped in history and tradition.

His Majesty, Her Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses as well as the parents of the groom also applied powder paste and scented water on the palm of Pengiran Haji Muhammad Ruzaini.

A doa selamat was recited by the State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.

The most important ceremony, the Istiadat Akad Nikah Diraja (solemnisation), will take place at Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital today.

The much-awaited Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja (the sitting-in-state), will be held Sunday (Sept 23) morning at Istana Nurul Iman followed by the royal reception at night.

The thanksgiving ceremony and closing of the Gendang Jaga-Jaga will take place next Tuesday. - Borneo Bulletin (20 September 2012)