Jordan’s royal wedding: All you need to know about Prince Hussain, Rajwa Alseif

Despite numerous photos of the royal couple on the internet, there is no clear information about how the two met and about their courtship. The two were formally engaged in a traditional Muslim ceremony in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in August 2022. The royal engagement ceremony was attended by senior members of Jordan’s royal family.

The Western-allied monarchy reigning in Jordan has been a bastion of stability for years as Middle East turmoil continued to impact the country’s neighbours. The marriage is set to forge a new bond between Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Take a look at all that’s needed to know about the Middle East’s royal couple.

Rajwa Alseif is a US-educated architect and has a special link with Sudairi Seven

Born in Riyadh in 1994, Rajwa Alseif was the youngest child in her family. Rajwa completed her architecture study at Syracuse University in New York in 2017.

Her mother, Azza bint Nayef Abdulaziz Ahmad Al Sudairi, is related to Hussa bint Ahmed Ai Sudairi, who is known to be one of the favourite wives of the founder of Saudi Arabia, King Abdul-Aziz Al Saud. Hussa bint Ahmed Ai Sudairi gave birth to seven sons of the founder including the current ruler, King Salman. Her seven sons were called Sudairi Seven. Most of them are now deceased, but earlier they used to enjoy a powerful position within the Saudi royal family.

Rajwa Alseif’s father is a member of the Subai, a prominent tribe in the Arabian Peninsula with ancient roots. He founded El Seif Engineering Contracting, which built Riyadh’s iconic Kingdom Tower and other high-rises across the Middle East.

Prince Hussein is a groomed heir of the crown

Crown Prince Hussein was born in June 28, 1994. His path to succession was clear after his father, King Abdullah II, stripped his half-brother, Prince Hamzah, of the title of crown prince in 2004. Later, Hussein was formally named heir to the throne at the age of 15.

He is the oldest son of Abdulla, who is known for his cordial relationship with the West and a voice of moderation through more than two decades of turmoil in Israel, Palestinian territories, Syria, and Iraq.

The Jordan’s royal family is also known as Hashemites and they trace their lineage back to the Prophet Muhammad. They dwelled in the Hejaz region of what is now Saudi Arabia for centuries before King Abdul-Aziz Al Saud’s forces drove them out in 1925.

They played a key role in the revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. After a series of betrayals from the Western powers and a nationalist uprising in Iraq, the royal family was left with only Jordan.

The prince is named after his grandfather, King Hussein, who ruled the country for more than four decades. He completed his graduation from Georgetown University with a degree in international history in 2016 and from the British Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst the following year. He is ranked as captain in the Jordanian military and also takes part in drills and ceremonies.

He became one of the youngest people to chair a meeting at the UN Security Council in 2015. After two years, he was back at the assembly as speaker.

Updated: 01 Jun 2023, 06:15 PM IST