Here's What Royal Weddings From Around the World Look Like
Celebrating the marriage of a couple is always exciting, especially when it’s the marriage of a royal figure. With the recent royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, it’s interesting to look at how other royalties celebrate the marriage of a new royal couple.
In Brunei, Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah married Pengiran Haji Muhammad Ruzaini on September 23, 2012. They had the wedding at the sultan’s (the princess’ father and the richest man in the world) 1,700 room palace.
No expense was spared for the ceremony. There were gold chairs, rare floret arrangements, gourmet food, and plenty of servants. However, because drinking is frowned upon by the Islamic practice, alcohol was not present at the celebration.
In Bhutan, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck married Queen Jetsun Pema on October 13, 2011, in a Buddhist ceremony at Punakha. This marriage was a huge deal for the people of Bhutan because their very popular king was marrying a “commoner,” a daughter of an airline pilot.
Their wedding was brightly colored and had traditional garments, and the happy couple walked down the Himalayan streets to greet their people.
Malaysian Princess Tunku Tun Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah married Dennis Muhammad Abdullah in a multi-day ceremony in October 2013. Her father, the sultan, hosted it at the Kraton Palace.
Twelve horse-drawn carriages accompanied them during the parade, and the happy couple performed the traditional Bathe Ritual, known as ‘Siraman,’ in which they were bathed and cleansed before their union. The event was also live-streamed so people around the world could take part in the festivities.
King Letsie III of Lesotho, Africa, married Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso on February 18, 2000. In a country where HIV and AIDS have affected many, this event was one that brought hope and happiness to the people.
Their wedding combined modern and traditional African aspects, and royal families from other countries attended the celebration as well as representatives from local tribes.
In Denmark, Prince Frederick and Princess Mary were married on May 14, 2004. Their wedding was in the Vor Frue Kirke cathedral in Copenhagen.
They entered the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage, just like in a Disney film, as fans waved both Dutch and Australian flags in support of the unity.
Prince Guillaume, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, married Grand Duchess Stephanie on October 20, 2012, in the Cathedral of our Lady of Luxembourg.
This was a very special celebration as Prince Guillaume was the last hereditary heir to the throne. Their wedding party included children, which is a tradition in some royal weddings, dressed in blue. Their reception was very traditional and elegant in a romantic setting.
In Spain, Prince Felipe deBourbon and Princess Letizia were wed on May 22, 2004. They had their wedding in the Royal Palace of Spain in Madrid.
Their ceremony was a traditional Catholic ceremony with speakers, a choir and religious rites.
Prince Shivraj Singh of Jodhpur and Princess Gayatri Kumari of Askot married in Jaipur India on November 19, 2010.
Ornately decorated elephants led the wedding parade, and Princess Gayatri Kumari wore a traditional Indian wedding dress.
King Mohamed VI married Princess Lalla Salma on July 13, 2002. They were married at the royal palace in Rabat, Morocco.
They broke the tradition of having royal wives be hidden and secret by having a public wedding.
In Japan, Prince Yoshi married Hanako Tsugaru on September 30, 1964. They celebrated their wedding in ancient ceremonial robes and went to Colorado for their honeymoon.
Seeing the different traditions of other countries’ weddings really show us how diverse we are in this world. It is wonderful to see the many ways the world celebrates the beginning of a marriage.
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