HIS Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah last night attended the ‘Majlis Istiadat Bersanding Diraja’ between YAM Tengku Amalin A’Ishah Putri binti Sultan Ismail Petra and YAM Pengiran Muda Abdul Qawi at the Istana Negeri, Kubang Kerian in Kota Bahru, Kelantan.

It was a truly memorable and grand occasion for not only prominent members of both the royal families of Brunei Darussalam and Kelantan but also other members of the royal family from other Malaysian states as they witnessed the sitting-in of both bride and groom in a ceremony lavished with tradition.

Also in attendance were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Nor’ain, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Nasibah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Jefriah and YTM Pengiran Babu Raja Pengiran Anak Hajah Besar as well as siblings of YAM Pengiran Muda Abdul Qawi.

Also present were the parents of the bride, DYMM Sultan Ismail Petra ibni Sultan Yahya Petra and DYMM Raja Perempuan Tengku Anis binti Tengku Abdul Hamid; HRH Tengku Muhammad Fa-iz Petra, the Crown Prince of Kelantan; HRH Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra; and other members of the royal family from several other Malaysian states.

Several male members lifted the ‘gangsa’ and 19 more carrying candles proceeded into the Ceremonial Hall.

Shortly after, YAM Tengku Amalin A’Ishah Putri made her way down from a flight of stairs looking effortlessly flawless and elegant accompanied by family members.

As she took her seat on the royal dais, YAM Pengiran Muda Abdul Qawi, accompanied by his brother YAM Pengiran Muda Abdul Muqtadir and YAM Pengiran Indera Negara Pengiran Anak Haji Puteh ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam, made his entrance into the hall.

The bride and groom also paid their respects to both family members as they welcomed a new chapter and history between members of the royal family from both Brunei and the state of Kelantan.

A doa selamat was also read to mark the completion of the ‘Majlis Istiadat Bersanding Diraja’.

Following that, the newlywed royal couple, visibly beaming with smiles, left the royal dais and greeted their family members.

Traditionally referred to as the ‘Suap Semangat’, both family members of the bride and groom took alternative turns to greet the royal couple.

Later that night, Their Royal Highnesses and the royal couple were joined by other members of the royal entourage from both Brunei and the state of Kelantan to attend a ‘Majlis Santap’ at the palace.

The banquet commenced with the reading of a doa selamat.

Among the highlights of the dinner was a presentation of both bride and groom reflecting past moments of their lives as well as a footage from the “Majlis Akad Nikah Diraja”.

The royal wedding ceremony continues with the ‘Majlis Istiadat Bersanding’ in Brunei and a thanksgiving prayer ceremony in the first week of July. - Borneo Bulletin (29 June 2013)