Tatler magazine reports that the wedding was characterized by a succession of opulent gatherings, culminating in a parade through the city and a banquet graced by dignitaries from across the world.
Kicking off on Jan. 7, the festivities blended traditional Islamic rituals with public celebrations.
Among the highlight events was the Khatam Quran on Jan. 8, where Anisha appeared in a bespoke white baju kurung, Brunei’s traditional attire. The Khatam Quran is a revered Muslim tradition involving the bride-to-be’s completion of Quran readings prior to the wedding.
The royal duo subsequently received blessings from their families in the Berbedak Mandi, or the powdering ceremony, on Jan. 10. This ceremony, a prelude to a flourishing marital life, featured the couple in splendid regal red outfits and encircled by their immediate family.
Specifically, Anisha was dressed in a red outfit adorned with brown leather highlights, a belt that accentuated her waist, and gold detailing. She enhanced her look with an ornate headdress, smokey eye shadow, and deep red lipstick. Initially, her face was veiled in red, which was only removed as she took her seat on the throne to continue with the ceremony.
The following day’s solemnization ceremony deeply rooted the marriage in tradition.
According to AFP, Prince Mateen made a grand entrance at the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Brunei’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan, donned in traditional white garb and a prestigious white headpiece.
The ceremony was initiated with a 17-gun salute, followed by Prince Mateen joining hands with his father, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, to bless the marriage with a prayer. An emotionally charged moment followed, with Prince Mateen bowing to gently press his forehead against his father’s hand.
The pinnacle of the wedding was the Bersanding (wedding reception) ceremony at Istana Nurul Iman, the Sultan of Brunei’s official residence, on Jan. 14.
This was followed by a parade on the same day, where the royal couple traversed the capital in an open-top Rolls Royce. The celebration drew large crowds and adorned the city in festivity.
The grandiose celebrations concluded with a royal banquet at the palace on Jan. 16, marking a befitting culmination attended by 5,000 guests, including international royals and politicians like Malaysia’s former King Abdullah and Queen Azizah, Bhutan’s King Jigme and Queen Jetsun Pema, Jordan’s Princess Noor Asem and her spouse Amr Fareed Zaidan, as Time magazine noted.
Serving the guests was a lavish wedding feast featuring traditional Brunei tastes and premium ingredients such as Alaskan king crab and Iranian caviar.
Prince Mateen, 32, who represented Brunei in polo at the 2017 and 2019 SEA Games, was declared one of Asia’s most eligible bachelors by Tatler Magazine in 2016.
Anisha, a 29-year-old entrepreneur with a University of Bath degree who co-founded a tourism business promoting cultural tours, hails from a distinguished family closely linked to the Sultan of Brunei.
Her grandfather Pehin Dato Isa, currently an advisor to the Sultan, played a crucial role in the government during the 1960s and 1970s.
Her brother Danial Deen Isa-Kalebic is a close friend of Prince Mateen, and her sister-in-law Janetira Attaskulchai Deen is affiliated with Thailand’s Attaskulchai family, owners of the Betagen yogurt brand.
Prince Mateen and Anisha were childhood friends and reportedly dated for several years prior to their matrimony, according to People magazine.
