Is it too soon to call this royal 10 day ceremony, the wedding of the year? That might be a big statement, considering we’re in the midst of it, but it has all the makings of an enchanting fairytale.
Starting this past Sunday, a royal Brunei wedding has commenced in the tiny coastal nation. The official holy matrimony of His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen and Anisha Isa Kalebic, was announced on his Instagram. With a short caption and a beautiful image of the two young lovebirds, HRH ended the year with a bang for his 2.5 million followers.
As the tenth child of His Majesty, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, the Sultan and Prime Minister of the state, a prominent affair is promised. From A-listers to royal figures, the invitation list is no doubt decked with familiar names. So as we gear up for the first royal wedding of the year, GRAZIA brings you all the details of the opulent occasion.
Everything you need to know about the 10 day long Brunei royal wedding
Starting on January 7 until January 16, 2024, a slew of opulent celebrations will take place to mark the marriage of Prince Abdul and Anisha.
From its elaborate dress code to its pearly venues, the grandiose event hits a new calibre. The event started with the pre wedding Khatam Qur’an ceremony, which is a Muslim tradition that some families partake in. It involves the bride reading the entire Qur’an ahead of the official wedding, to absorb the teachings of the holy book.
The royal bride stunned us in an elegant yet intricate all-white Baju Kurung, by Malaysian designer Teh Firdaus at the this ceremony.
Following this divine event, another Islamic ceremony commences on January 11 in the capital’s ravishing Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. Sitting on tranquil waters, one of the world’s most stunning mosques will be the venue in which the groom and bride exchange their devout vows in.
The wedding celebrations will also feature a colourful parade will materialise on January 14, sure to entrance the entire city, according to Hype MY. With some lavish banquets, awe-inspiring musical guests, and opulent venues also on the itinerary, it is sure to be a moment the entire country can indulge in.
The celebrations will officially conclude on January 16.
Who are the royal love birds?
While the nation the royal family leads may be small, the power their wield surely isn’t. The Sultan is one of the richest men in Asia, with an estimated net worth of $30 billion. He sits as the 29th ruler of the all-monarch nation, and leads a life of rigourous work and incredible luxury.
HRH Prince Mateen follows in his father’s esteemed footsteps, as he mounts success through his academic, military and diplomatic endeavours. The handsome prince has built an immense following on Instagram, as he documents his love of affluent yachts and polo. Fifth in line to the crown, the prince is his marrying longtime partner and family friend, Anisha.
As the granddaughter of His Majesty’s trusted advisor and dear friend, Pehin Dato Isa, Anisha isn’t new to Bruneian royals. A radiating entrepreneur, she has co-founded a booming tourism firm called Authentirary, and founded a just as impressive fashion label Silk collective.
While this royal Brunei wedding has caused a buzzing wave across social media, it has actually been a long time coming. Last year, official pictures were released of the couple attending the prince’s sister’s wedding in January of 2023.
This long-term relationship is taking the next step into the land of marriage this year, And each picture and moment it births is more astonishing than the next. A 10-day long moment, the two will share for the rest of their lives.
