She paid homage to her humble beginnings by forgoing a tiara on her wedding day.
Nevertheless, Rania Al-Yassin – now Queen of Jordan – charmed guests with her captivating presence when she married Prince Abdullah 31 years ago today.
The couple first met at a dinner party in 1992 and were engaged six months later, exchanging vows on June 10, 1993, in a grand ceremony at the Zahran Palace in Amman, Jordan.
Despite tradition dictating that royal brides wear family jewels, Rania, born into a humble Palestinian family in Kuwait, made a statement by wearing a simple embellished headband attached to her veil, symbolising her roots.
Speed freak Abdullah, who is known for his love of motorbikes, rally driving and scuba diving, wore military uniform and a ceremonial sword at his hip.
Rania chose British designer Bruce Oldfield to craft her custom-made dress, which featured gold floral embroidery, a voluminous ivory satin skirt and matching jacket.
The latter was designed with distinctive lapels, short sleeves and a detachable belt – an element that her daughter, Princess Iman , borrowed for her own pre-wedding henna ceremony in 2023.
Reports suggest that Oldfield found inspiration for the gown from formal Syrian dresses exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London .
She paid homage to her humble beginnings by forgoing a tiara on her wedding day. Nevertheless, Rania Al-Yassin – now Queen of Jordan – charmed guests with her captivating presence when she married Prince Abdullah 31 years ago today
The couple first met at a dinner party in 1992 and were engaged six months later, exchanging vows on June 10, 1993, in a grand ceremony at the Zahran Palace in Amman, Jordan. Above:Rania and Prince Abdullah on their wedding day
Speed freak Abdullah is known for his love of motorbikes. Above: King Abdullah ll of Jordan on his Harley Davidson motorbike while filming 2002 travel documentary Jordan: The Royal Tour
Following their nuptials, the pair became parents to Crown Prince Hussein, 29, Princess Iman, 27, Princess Salma, 23, and Prince Hashem, 19.
Abdullah previously enjoyed sky diving but had to give up the dangerous hobby when he became monarch on the death of his father in 1999.
He displayed his passion for motorbikes in a 2002 Discovery Channel documentary where he was seen riding through his country on a Harley Davidson.
Last March, Princess Iman gave a touching nod to her parents’ big day by wearing her mother’s white and gold wedding belt as she took part in her henna ceremony.
Rania and Abdullah saw Hussein get married last year. He tied the knot with Rajwa Al Saif.
Ahead of their wedding, Queen Rania paid an emotional tribute to the bride, describing Miss Rajwa as ‘the sweetest and most beautiful bride-to-be’, adding that she is as precious to her as her daughters Princesses Iman and Salma.
Despite tradition dictating that royal brides wear family jewels, Rania, born into a humble Palestinian family in Kuwait, made a statement by wearing a simple embellished headband attached to her veil, symbolising her roots. Above: The couple beam at each other on their wedding day
Rania and Abdullah depart the Zahran Palace in their car after tying the knot 31 years ago today
The couple first met at a dinner party in 1992 and were engaged six months later, exchanging vows on June 10, 1993
The young bridesmaids wore gold dresses featuring puff sleeves and flower crowns
Rania chose British designer Bruce Oldfield to craft her custom-made dress, which featured gold floral embroidery
The bride wore a matching jacket, designed with distinctive lapels, short sleeves and a detachable belt
During their grand evening reception, the royal couple cut their show-stopping wedding cake
Rania and Abdallah enjoyed an evening of dancing, surrounded by friends and family
The newlyweds appeared happier than ever on their big day
Rania carried a large bouquet of white lilies and foliage with gold accents
Princess Iman borrowed the belt from her mother’s wedding dress for her henna celebrations in 2023
In 2011, Rania was named by Forbes as one of the world’s 100 most powerful women.
She has championed causes including women’s rights, child protection and the environment.
Last May, Queen Rania joined her husband at King Charles’ Coronation at Westminster Abbey.
She wore ayellow long-sleeve dress by Tamara Ralph Couture. She paired the tailored pencil number with a coordinating hat and Jimmy Choo heeled pumps.
It was a whirlwind romance for the then Prince Abdullah and Rania Al-Yassin, who were married within a year of meeting and are still in love to this day
King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan pictured with their children (left to right) Prince Hussein, Princess Salma, Prince Hashem and Princess Iman, December 2022
Princess Rajwa Al Hussein, Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdulla II and his mother, Queen Rania during the Royal Wedding Banquet in Amman, Jordan earlier this month
King Abdullah and Queen Rania posing for a picture with the bride and the groom, their eldest daughter Princess Iman and Jameel Alexander Thermiotis in March 2023
Queen of Jordan pictured speaking in a panel discussion during the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in New York in September 2016
Eight months earlier, she had attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
She admitted that she ‘looked up’ to Queen Elizabeth during an interview with ITV News.
Rania said: ‘She didn’t always presume that you wanted her advice but she was very generous when you asked for it.
‘I really looked up to her. To me, she is the queen of the world.’
