The sitting-in-state of the royal wedding between Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah and YAM Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Ruzaini bin Pg Dr Haji Mohd Yakub took place in pomp and pageantry, steeped in royal tradition at the lavishly decorated Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana, Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha consented to attend the climax of more than a week of wedding-related festivities called the 'Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja' ceremony.

Also in attendance were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, HRH Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, HRH Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah, HRH Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, YAM Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah, HRH Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, YAM Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati, HRH Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim, HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik, HRH Prince 'Abdul Mateen, HRH Prince 'Abdul Wakeel, 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, HRH Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah and other members of the royal family.

The regional leaders who attended the ceremony were President of the Republic of Philippines Benigno S Aquino II; Prime Minister of Cambodia Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen; Prime Minister of Thailand Yingluck Shinawatra; Chief Minister of Sarawak Pehin Sri Dr Haji Abdul Taib bin Mahmud and spouse Puan Sri Raghad Kurdi Taib; Chief Minister of Sabah Dato Seri Paduka Haji Musa bin Haji Aman and spouse Datin Seri Panglima Datuk Hajah Faridah Haji Tussin; Minister for Defence, Singapore, Dr Ng Eng Hen; His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Saud bin Abdul Mohsen bin Abdul Aziz from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah binti Mansor, wife of Malaysian Prime Minister.

The ceremony began with Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd Zain bin Haji Serudin informing YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz that the ceremony was ready to proceed. YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz then informed His Majesty.

His Majesty asked HRH Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah, HRH Princess Hajah Masna and wife of state dignitaries to bring HRH Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah to the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana and escort to her seat on the bridal dais.

Among Brunei's Royal Regalia ornaments that accompanied the bride included 40 Sinipit, Pemura (gun) and Karga (used to carry bullets), Kalasak (shield) and Kampilan (long blade), Kaskul (gold chest), Kaskul Langguai (silver vessel used to store betel nut boxes), Kabuk Panastan (silver water containers and trays), Kiap (pair of fans), Chupu (ornamental vessel) as well as ceremonial candles.

Meanwhile, YAM Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris and the State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned went to the entrance to welcome the entourage of the groom.

The groom was led into the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana together with his entourage. Just before entering the hall, the groom underwent a ritual called 'membasuh kaki' - the washing of the groom's feet with water filled in a special Kiri (receptacle resembling a pitcher). This was followed by the sprinkling of yellow rice that is parried with a Kiap.

His Majesty then led YAM Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Ruzaini to the bridal dais and placed his right hand on the head of Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah. As the Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja ceremony reached its culmination, which marked the first time the royal couple was seated side-by-side during the week-long royal wedding ceremony, a doa selamat was recited by the State Mufti.

Following the doa selamat, in the presence of His Majesty, Her Majesty, Their Royal Highnesses and other members of royal family, YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz officially announced the groom's new title as YAM Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Ruzaini bin Pengiran Dr Hj Mohd Yakub.

The royal couple, accompanied by HRH Prince 'Abdul Mateen, then made a short walk together to the royal dais to pay their respects to His Majesty, Her Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses in a brief exchange before leaving the hall together.

The series of royal wedding ceremonies continued with the royal reception last night at the Istana Nurul Iman and will conclude with the closing of the Gendang Jaga-Jaga tomorrow. - Borneo Bulletin (24 September 2012)