| Hakim Hayat |
AFTER years of meticulous planning to celebrate the historic occasion of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s Accession to the Throne, yesterday’s ceremony, carried out in steep Bruneian royal customs, is testament not only to the rich Bruneian culture and tradition, but also the unity of the nation in celebrating and cherishing His Majesty the Sultan that they genuinely love.
People of Brunei Darussalam yesterday paid tribute to His Majesty’s 50-year reign that has brought about peace and prosperity to the nation through his wise leadership and concern for the welfare of a matter close to his heart – his people.
Yesterday’s Golden Jubilee Celebration now puts His Majesty as the second longest reigning monarch in the world.
Commencing the ceremony that was full of regal pomp and pageantry, His Majesty – clad in a royal yellow traditional Songket outfit and brandishing a curved dagger slipped in the outfit’s belt – and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam received a ceremonial guard of honour salute mounted by some 323 personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) at the main entrance of the Istana Nurul Iman.
As the national anthem played, a 21-gun cannon salute was fired to mark the occasion. His Majesty later inspected the guard of honour led by Lieutenant Colonel Pengiran Sufri bin Pengiran Rosli.
Their Majesties later proceeded to the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana for the Royal Audience Ceremony, joining other members of the royal family, international guests and state dignitaries.
Present at the ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman; His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.
Also in attendance were His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah binti Dato Haji Nasir; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati binti Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Muta-Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Nor’ain; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Rakiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Nasibah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Jefriah.
His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, as a personal representative to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and Her Royal Highness Princess Sophie, Countess of Wessex, were also present as international guests in the Royal Audience Ceremony.
In accordance with royal traditions inherited from centuries ago, the event began with the Grand Chamberlain Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana Pengiran Haji Alauddin bin Pengiran Paduka Tuan Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar announcing the ceremony’s commencement to His Majesty.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah later delivered a heartfelt sabda that among others, extolled His Majesty’s wise, fair leadership and dedication to the country and its people over the last 50 years of his visionary reign, which enabled rapid and sustainable development in improving the standard of living of the people.
The monarch also delivered a titah from the Throne, where he conveyed his gratitude to the people behind the Golden Jubilee Celebration who worked hard to make it a success. His Majesty also touched on the importance of a strong bond between the king and the people that has made the nation stronger.
To bless the occasion, a Doa Selamat was read by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana Pengiran Haji Alauddin then announced to His Majesty that the ceremony has been completed, upon which His Majesty ordered the conclusion of the ceremony.
Their Majesties, members of the royal family, together with the Earl of Wessex and Countess of Wessex later proceeded to a holding room, before commencing on a historical procession across the main streets of the capital, joined by over 85,000 well-wishers lining the streets as they cheered for His Majesty, who was carried in the Royal chariot by dozens of men.
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