It’s been a nearly a year since Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan married Princess Rajwa (previously Rajwa Al Saif), captivating audiences and well-wishers all over the world.
The royal pair have now reached another milestone in their relationship, announcing they are expecting their first child this summer.
While the couple had a very public wedding, not much is known about their relationship. From how they met to their engagement to their lavish wedding to their pregnancy announcement, GRAZIA Middle East is here to break down this royal love story.
How Did Crown Prince Hussein And Rajwa Al Saif Meet?
So, when exactly did this royal couple meet? Unfortunately, that remains a mystery. However, Crown Prince Hussein himself revealed how they met earlier this year.
Back in May 2023, the prince made an appearance to give a talk at an event in Jordan with his then-wife-to-be supporting in the audience. The royal share a titbit of how they met with the audience. “I met Rajwa through an old friend from school … I consider myself lucky because it is not every day you meet someone like Rajwa,” he revealed.
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However, the era of education this “old friend from school” is from is unknown. The prince spent his formative schooling years in Jordan at the International School of Choueifat and the International Amman Academy, finishing his high school years at the King’s Academy, graduating in 2012. Crown Prince Hussein then went to university in the USA, attending Georgetown University in Washington D.C., graduating in 2016. The following year he attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK, graduating in 2017.
Princess Rajwa also attended university in the USA, attending the Syracuse University School of Architecture in New York, graduating in 2017. She then also studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.
A Royal Engagement
The engagement of Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan and Rajwa Al Saif of Saudi Arabia was announced on August 17, 2022 by the Royal Hashemite Court. The engagement took place at the home of Princess Rajwa’s father, Khaled bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al Saif, in Riyadh.
A number of photographs and videos were shared from the event which was attended by Princess Rajwa’s father and mother, Azza Al Sudairi, as well as King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan and other members of the Jordanian royal family and the Al Saif family.
The following day, Crown Prince Hussein posted the first photo of himself and his future wife to his official Instagram page. “Alhamdullillah. We pray that God grants us His blessings. Grateful to my dear Jordanian family for their heartfelt support and kind wishes,” he said of his engagement.
Meanwhile, Queen Rania also posted a series of photos of the newly engaged couple to Instagram saying, “I didn’t think it was possible to hold so much joy in my heart! Congratulations to my eldest Prince Hussein and his beautiful bride-to-be, Rajwa.”
She posted another photo of just herself and Rajwa, sharing her excitement to welcome her into the family. “Excited to welcome my third daughter, Al Hussein’s bride-to-be, Rajwa, to the family!” Queen Rania said. “We’re so happy for you both.”
The Newly Engaged Couple Make Their First Public Appearance Together
A couple of months after their official engagement announcement, the couple made their first public appearance together in October 2022.
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Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa visited the Royal Hashemite Court with Prince El Hassan, the brother of the late King Hussein of Jordan, where they visited exhibits from Jordan’s Hashemite history.
For this visit, Princess Rajwa wore a white and crisp buttoned shirt, tucked into an A-line black Alexander McQueen, accessorised with a white Gucci GG Marmont bag and a gold necklace with her and her future husband’s initials, ‘H’ and ‘R’.
The Newly Engaged Couple Attend The Wedding Of Princess Iman And Jameel Alexander Thermiotis
Earlier this year, in March 2023, the couple attended the wedding of Crown Prince Hussein’s sister, Princess Iman and Jameel Alexander Thermiotis, which took place at Beit Al-Urdon Palace.
The royal bride wore a stunning custom Dior gown and was walked down the aisle by her elder brother. Meanwhile, Princess Rajwa wore a statement yellow caped dress by London-based Serbian designer Roksanda Ilinčić.
In one sweet image shared via the official royal accounts, Crown Prince Hussein is seen whispering something to his bride-to-be during the ceremony, while she had a wide grin on her face.
A Royal Henna Party
Ahead of the couple’s royal nuptials on June 1, 2023, Queen Rania hosted a Henna Party for her future daughter-in-law. The party was attended by Queen Rania and Princess Rajwa, as well as her mother Azza Al Sudairi and Princess Iman and Princess Salma and other women from the Jordan community.
At the Henna Party, Queen Rania made a speech, during which she addressed Princess Rajwa’s mother to say, “We and Al Hussein will take the very best care of Rajwa. This is her country, and she is among her family and her people.”
The Royal Wedding
Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa married on June 1, 2023 at Zahran in Amman, Jordan. Led by His Majesty King Abdullah and Her Majesty Queen Rania, the celebration was attended by distinguished guests, including members of royal families from across the world, the Hashemite family, Arab and foreign world leaders.
Over 1,700 people attended the wedding and notable guests who attended the royal wedding included William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Beatrice, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and many more.
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Princess Rajwa, who was walked down the aisle by Prince Hashem, stunned in a bespoke gown by Lebanese couturier Elie Saab. For the reception, which took place at Al Husseiniya Palace, Princess Rajwa changed into a second gown designed by Dolce&Gabbana. The Alta Moda ball gown featured layered and embroidered floral-like patterns, adorned with a deep neckline. For both her wedding outfits, Princess Rajwa wore an exquisite headpiece which featured stylised Arabic calligraphy delicately inscribed with the words “Rajwatun min Allah,” meaning “A prayer answered by God.”
Their first message as a married couple
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One month after their wedding, the pair marked their first Eid as a married couple. On June 30, to mark Eid Al Adha, an important holiday in the Islamic calendar that takes place from Dhu Hijah 10 to 12.
Crown Prince Hussein shared a casual photo of himself and Princess Rajwa with a message saying, “On behalf of Rajwa and myself, Adha Mubarak to you and your families.”
Crown Prince Hussein & Princess Rajwa’s First Child
The Royal Hashemite Court is pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein are expecting their first baby this summer
Details:https://t.co/BMO3YM9Tvt pic.twitter.com/BSOX40cSRH
— RHC (@RHCJO) April 10, 2024
A little under a year after their royal wedding, it was revealed the couple are expecting their first child together.
The joyous news of Princess Rajwa’s pregnancy was announced by the Jordanian royal family in a statement in April 2024.
“The Royal Hashemite Court is pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein are expecting their first baby this summer,” the statement read.
“The Royal Hashemite Court extends its sincere congratulations to Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah on this occasion, and wishes Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein and Princess Rajwa good health and joy as they welcome their baby.”
Read More: Crown Prince Hussein & Princess Rajwa Wear Matching Outfits For Their Latest Royal Outing
