Brunei's renowned royal, Prince Abdul Mateen, hosted a lavish wedding ceremony. Choosing Anisa Rosnah binti Adam as his bride, and the ten-day celebration concluded on January 16.
The festivities began with the recitation of the Quran (Khatam Quran) on January 7. For the occasion, Anisha wore an off-white traditional outfit decorated with embroidery and Malay-style weaving designed by renowned Malaysian designer Teh Firdaus.
The celebration continued with the Berbedak Mandi ritual. During this ceremony, the newlyweds were sprinkled with traditional powder by family members, signifying fertility and prosperity. The ceremony is rich in symbolic meaning, representing the symbols of abundance and prosperity.
Heads of State attended the wedding of Prince Mateen and Yang Mulia Dayang Anisha Rosnah
The wedding celebration was reportedly attended by 5000 guests, including various heads of state from around the world. At its peak on January 14, leaders from Asia to the Middle East were seen attending the celebration. The Prime Minister of Malaysia (Anwar Ibrahim), the President of Indonesia (President Jokowi), the President of the Philippines (Bongbong Marcos), and the Prime Minister of Singapore (Lee Hsien Loong) were among those present at the wedding. Royal families from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bhutan were also rumored to be in attendance.
The couple officially exchanged vows at Istana Nurul Iman, the Sultan's official residence. With 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and an air-conditioned stable for 200 ponies, this palace is also recognized as the largest residential palace in the world.
For this special moment, Prince Mateen looked handsome in his ceremonial uniform, while the charm of Yang Mulia Dayang Anisha Rosnah shone even brighter in her long white gown and sparkling jewelry.
The Festive Peak Celebration
At the peak of the celebration, a lively atmosphere filled the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan. The excitement was heightened by the offer of free ice cream and the sale of refreshing drinks as people began to take up positions along the parade route. It was the first public appearance of the couple as husband and wife.
At the culmination of the event, cheers rang out all over Bandar Seri Begawan. The celebration was further enhanced by free ice cream and drinks being sold along the parade route. People also began to take up positions along the parade route well before the event began.
This was the couple's first public appearance as a married couple. They stood at the back of an open Rolls-Royce and waved to the crowds watching their procession through the capital. Images of the couple adorned the streets and building facades for several days before the event.
The ceremony was infused with traditional touches from Brunei's long history as an Islamic monarchy. Many residents lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the couple.
Prince Mateen is the tenth child and fourth son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, making him an interesting figure to follow on social media. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah himself is the ruler of the world's longest running monarchy and was once the richest man on the planet, making Mateen an interesting figure to talk about. Recently, he has often been seen accompanying his father to various international meetings or forums, making him a hot topic online.
Meanwhile, Anisha Rosnah is the granddaughter of the Sultan of Brunei's chief advisor, Isang bin Awang Ibrahim. Anisha's grandfather also plays an important role in the Kingdom of Brunei, including being one of the founders of Royal Brunei Airlines.
Prince Mateen, now 32, is a trained pilot and a lieutenant in the military. He attained that rank in 2011 after completing 44 weeks of officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. His 29-year-old partner, on the other hand, is a graduate of the University of Bath in the UK. She is currently involved in the business world, running Slik Collective in the fashion industry and Authentinerary in the travel industry. These business ventures are run in collaboration with her close friend.
