Jordanian Crown Prince Marries Saudi Architect Related to House of Saud

Jordanian Crown Prince Hussein married his Saudi bride Rajwa Al-Saif in a grand ceremony in Jordan's capital, Amman, Thursday.

The couple were married at Zahran Palace in central Amman in the presence of foreign royalties and dignitaries. A procession after the ceremony drove the couple through the streets of the capital while taking a place of prominence in a formation depicting the Jordanian flag. Hussein and Rajwa eventually arrived at Al Husseiniya Palace for the reception.

Among the guests who attended the Muslim ceremony called "katb al-ketab" include the Prince and Princess of Wales William and Catherine, Swedish Crown Princess Victoria and husband Prince Daniel, former Spanish king Juan Carlos I and his wife Sofia, King Philippe and daughter Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, among others.

US First Lady Dr. Jill Biden represented her husband, President Joe Biden, who was attending the US Air Force Academy graduation back home.

Royal Wedding Fever a Respite for Jordanians

Jordan declared the day of the wedding a public holiday to allow Jordanians to celebrate the significant milestone of their future king. Well-wishers and party-goers flooded the streets of Amman to get a glimpse of the royal couple, as well as attend free concerts and events.

The royal wedding was a respite for the country, a relatively stable monarchy struggling to fix its economy, address youth unemployment, and manage the affairs of its ruling family, the Hashemite dynasty, which traces back its roots to the prophet Muhammad.

The Hashemites have a long history of cooperation and alliance with the West, beginning with the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Modern Jordan continues to be the voice of moderation in the Middle East, especially due to tensions between Israel and Palestine.

In 2021, King Abdullah II stripped his own half-brother, Prince Hazmah, of the title of crown prince due to sedition allegations. The king then installed his son Hussein as heir to the Hashemite throne.

Political analyst Amer Sabaileh said the wedding was a statement on who would become the future king of Jordan.

"The issue of the crown prince has been closed," he said

Hashemite-Al Saud Connection

The Hashemite dynasty and Rajwa's family did not reveal how the eldest son and heir of King Abdullah and Queen Rania met his wife, an architect, and aristocrat. Nevertheless, the emerging power couple's wedding was a geopolitical message that would reverberate across the kingdoms of Jordan and Saudi Arabia in the years to come.

Crown Prince Hussein graduated with an international history degree from Georgetown University with a degree in 2016. He also attended the British Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst in 2017 and currently holds the rank of captain in the Jordanian Armed Forces. He has since been accompanying his father on overseas trips, including King Abdullah's meeting with President Biden at the White House.

Meanwhile, Rajwa was the youngest of four children of Khalid Al-Saif, a member of the prominent Subai tribe with ancient roots in the Arabian Peninsula. Her mother also had connections to the House of Saud, the ruling family of Saudi Arabia. She finished her architecture degree from Syracuse University in New York in 2017 and became involved in her father's business, El Seif Engineering Contracting.

AP Journalist: Hussein's Wedding a Test of Jordanian Stability

Experts also consider the marriage a geopolitical masterstroke in favor of the Hashemites, who were the historic rivals of the Al Saud Dynasty. Jordan recently created connections with Gulf Arab petrol states, most of which are themselves monarchies.

But according to Associated Press veteran Middle East journalist Josef Federman, the union between a Hashemite prince and a minor Saudi royal would also present its challenges beyond the honeymoon phase.

"[A]n extravagant wedding could...alienate the masses of people who are unemployed or living in deep poverty," he said. "[The Hashemite dynasty] will have to tread carefully."

As crown prince, Federman added, Hussein would need to shore up his power base. Marrying a Saudi woman who is connected to Saudi businesses and in, extension, the Saudi royal family could become the key for his country to acquire foreign investment.

Federman also thought Hussein's marriage to Rajwa was the "first small test" for developing his image to the Jordanian public and beyond.

"Perhaps the biggest challenge will be how he is viewed at home," he said. "The nation is struggling in so many ways, and people are going to be watching him very closely. It's going to be interesting to see how he carries himself in front of the people that he is set to one day rule."