This week, the engagement of Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and Rajwa Al Saif was announced, with a series of celebratory photos released to mark the news.
Not only is Al Saif marrying into the Jordanian royal family, but she is inheriting a notably chic mother-in-law in Queen Rania, a royal who is frequently featured on best-dressed lists and lauded for her sense of style.
In her engagement portraits, Al Saif, who currently works at architectural firm Designlab Experience, was every part the polished princess-to-be.
In the first set of photos shared by the Jordanian royal family, Al Saif wore a cream abaya with gold embellishment by Lebanese brand Orient 499 over an olive green dress with a gold belt and a mustard headscarf. The designers behind these pieces have not been confirmed. Queen Rania wore a black dress with silver metallic detail by Singaporean designer Andrew Gn.
In a photo shared by Prince Hussein, Al Saif wore a blue pleated dress by Greek brand Costarellos, with a pearl necklace. It seems Al Saif is destined to have a similarly positive effect on fashion houses as Queen Rania and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
Hours after the photo of Al Saif wearing a Costarellos dress was posted, the brand was inundated with orders. A message on the label's website now reads: "Due to an extremely high volume of orders, all in-stock items will be shipped the week of August 22nd."
Al Saif paid subtle tribute to her future mother-in-law through her fashion choices. In a photo shared by the Jordanian Royal Court, she is wearing a white high-collared midi dress with an embellished belt by Andrew Gn, who dressed Queen Rania in the images accompanying engagement announcement.
In the final set of images, the most informal of the collection, the couple are seen walking through a tree-lined path.
Prince Hussein is wearing a blue shirt, while Al Saif is wearing a multicoloured skirt and white shirt by Italian designer Sara Roka, with a gathered lilac belt and light blue Valentino pumps.
Her Harry Winston engagement ring is on full display in the images, as are a pair of Stephen Webster white gold and yellow diamond earrings, which have been worn by Queen Rania on several occasions.
How Queen Rania's 1993 wedding outfit broke with tradition — in pictures
-
On June 10, 1993, then Crown Prince of Jordan, Abdullah, married Rania Al-Yassin in Amman. AFP -
The bride wore a gown by British designer Bruce Oldfield, who took inspiration from traditional Syrian robes at the Victoria & Albert museum in London. AFP -
King Hussein, right, and his wife Queen Noor, second from right, attend the marriage of his eldest son Abdullah and Rania Al-Yassin, centre. On the far left is Abdullah's mother, Hussein's ex-wife Princess Muna Al-Hussein, born Antoinette Gardiner. Photo: FMS -
The newly-weds arrive at a party held in their honour in Amman. AFP -
From left, Rania-Al Yassin, Crown Prince Abdullah, Queen Noor and King Hussein of Jordan at the wedding. AFP -
For the wedding celebrations, the bride changed into a second gown, with an embroidered bodice. Getty Images -
The newly married crown prince and Rania at their wedding celebration. Getty Images -
Prince Abdullah and his bride cut their elaborate cake. Getty Images -
Rania's dress was hand embroidered in gold thread, around the collar, down the front of the jacket and around the hem of the sleeves and gown. AFP
Crown Prince Hussein and Rajwa Al Saif's engagement
The engagement took place at the home of Al Saif's father in Riyadh. It was announced on Twitter with four photos showing the couple, with Crown Prince Hussein's parents, King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, pictured alongside members of Al Saif's family.
Queen Rania also took to Twitter to share her happiness.
“I didn’t think it was possible to hold so much joy in my heart! Congratulations to my eldest Prince Hussein and his beautiful bride-to-be, Rajwa,” Queen Rania wrote.
Prince Hussein's engagement only comes a few weeks after his sister, Princess Iman, announced her engagement to Jameel Alexander Thermiotis.
Princess Iman is the first daughter and the second child of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania.
Princess Iman's engagement — in pictures
-
Jordan's Princess Iman and Jameel Alexander Thermiotis are engaged. Photo: @RHCJO / Twitter -
Jordan’s Queen Rania and Princess Iman. Reuters -
King Abdullah II and Princess Iman. Reuters -
Queen Rania and Princess Iman tried their hands at traditional crafts on a visit to Umm Qais in 2020. Photo: Instagram / Queen Rania -
Newborn Princess Salma Bint Abdullah is held by her mother Queen Rania in September 2000, with her father King Abdullah, her brother Prince Hussein and her sister Princess Iman, aged 4, surrounding them. Getty Images -
King Abdullah II of Jordan, second from right, and his wife Queen Rania of Jordan, third from left, stand next to Princess Iman, second from left, during an awards ceremony at the Al Hussein Sport City, in May 2008. Getty Images -
Princess Iman, centre, looks on during the King Abdullah II award ceremony for physical fitness in 2008. Getty Images -
Princess Iman performs during the King Abdullah Award for Fitness ceremony, in May 2009. Getty Images -
Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein, second from right, Princess Iman, third from right, and Prince Faisal, fourth from right, attend the Global Forum on Youth Peace and Security at the King's Academy school in Madaba city, in August 2015. Reuters -
Princess Iman, aged 12, with her horse Saqir, an Arabian filly, as they won second prize at the Middle East Championships horse show in Amman, in October 2008. Reuters -
King Abdullah II, Queen Rania and Princess Iman arriving for the France premiere of 'Quantum of Solace' at the UGC Normandie Theater in Paris, in October 2008. Reuters -
King Abdullah II is greeted by Princess Iman during the throne opening ceremony of the first ordinary session of the 17th parliament in November 2013, in Amman. Getty Images -
Princess Iman and Queen Rania attend the Medef Summer 2015 University Conference in August 2015, in Jouy-en-Josas, France. Getty Images
Who is Rajwa Al Saif?
Al Saif was born in Riyadh on April 28, 1994, according to Roya News in Jordan.
She is the youngest of four siblings — alongside Faisal, Nayef and Dana — born to businessman Khalid Al Saif and his wife Azza Al Sudairi.
Her secondary education took place in Saudi Arabia, before she moved to New York to complete her higher education at the College of Architecture at Syracuse University.
See Queen Rania of Jordan's style evolve in 64 pictures
-
Queen Rania, wearing a dress by British designer Bruce Oldfield, on her wedding day to King Abdullah II at the Royal Palace in Amman, Jordan on June 10, 1993. AFP -
Queen Rania, with Senator Jesse Helms in Washington DC on June 7, 2000, wears a simple black suit with a blue blouse, a style format she stuck to in the early 2000s. Getty Images -
Queen Rania of Jordan, pictured in Amman in November 2000, sports a beige two-piece with a contrasting teal shirt. Getty Images -
Queen Rania, pictured with a newborn Princess Salma as well as Princess Iman and Crown Prince Hussein, wears a maroon turtleneck in November 2000. Getty Images -
Queen Rania, pictured in Amman on December 17, 2000, has long highlighted traditional Jordanian craftsmanship through her wardrobe choices. Getty Images -
The royal experimented with a fringe and layered haircut in April, 2001. Getty Images -
Queen Rania, here photographed on June 6, 2001, was an early proponent of the power suit. Getty Images -
Queen Rania, pictured in Rome on October 12, 2001, also dabbled with lighter locks in the past. Getty Images -
For a visit to London in November 2001, Queen Rania, pictured with Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, chose elegant navy separates, for a finish that still looks contemporary. Getty Images -
While in London in November 2001, the royal, pictured with Cherie Blair, began to show her appreciation for architectural cuts. Getty Images -
Queen Rania, photographed with artist Hind Nasser on November 29, 2001, made a lesser-seen dabble with pastel tones in this co-ordinating lavender suit. Getty Images -
Queen Rania, pictured arriving at King Abdullah's birthday party on January 29, 2002, wears a dramatic full-length coat over a classic shirt-and-trousers combo. Getty Images -
The royal, pictured on June 10, 2002 in Amman, didn't escape the sunglasses trends and the pinstriped blazers of the early 2000s. Getty Images -
Queen Rania, pictured with Baroness Symons and Maria Shammas on June 17, 2002, has long favourite monochrome ensembles with clean lines, as per this asymmetric coat and trousers look. Getty Images -
The royal wears peachy chiffon embellished with sequins for a gala dinner in France on September 30, 2002. Getty Images -
Queen Rania wears a bolero jacket over a velvet evening gown at Bellevue Palace in October 22, 2002 in Berlin, Germany. Getty Images -
Queen Rania first started embracing the pussybow blouse, a style she still favours to this day, in October 2002 in Berlin, Germany. Getty Images -
The royal looked to a Rennaissance-worthy velvet gown on December 2, 2002 in Versailles, France. Getty Images -
The royal, pictured with Queen Sofia of Spain on September 30, 2003, wears knee-high boots with a chic sleeveless dress. Getty Images -
Queen Rania champions the skirt suit on March 8, 2004 in Beirut. Getty Images -
Queen Rania looks red carpet ready in cream satin for a gala dinner at El Pardo Royal Palace on May 21, 2004 in Madrid, Spain. Getty Images -
For the wedding of Spanish Crown Prince Felipe de Bourbon and former journalist Letizia Ortiz on May 22, 2004, Queen Rania donned a simple white shirt, dressed up by a lilac and lace maxi. Getty Images -
Queen Rania, while visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie, dressed for the UK's wintry climes in a knitted tunic layered over trousers on November 6, 2006. Getty Images -
Queen Rania dresses up an emerald gown with a sleek black stole at the Foreign Press Association Awards on November 23, 2004 in London. Getty Images -
Queen Rania, then pregnant with Prince Hashem, wears a textured coat on November 29, 2004 in Amman. Getty Images -
Queen Rania, pictured with Renee Zellweger, wears a long navy dress on June 11, 2006 for an event on the Jordanian shore of the Dead Sea. Getty Images -
The royal, pictured in Cape Town on April 3, 2006, dressed up a simple shirt with layered necklaces. Getty Images -
Queen Rania wrapped. atrench coat over a printed tea dress at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, UK, on August 11, 2006. Getty Images -
Queen Rania experimented with velvet for daywear in this blazer on October 30, 2006 in The Hague, Netherlands. Getty Images -
This royal blue gown was offset by a woven belt on October 31, 2006 in Scheveningen, Netherlands. Getty Images -
Queen Rania donned a classic LBD for a Unesco Goodwill Ambassadors meeting on April 3, 2007 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Queen Rania demonstrates why she reigns at tailored separates on October 31, 2007, in Amman. Getty Images -
Queen Rania is the picture of elegance in pale dove grey Elie Saab at the Bambi Awards on November 29, 2007 in Germany. Getty Images -
Queen Rania, pictured with Queen Sofia of Spain on October 18, 2008, dips a toe into the then-emerging lace trend. Getty Images -
Queen Rania keeps it elegant in a tonal autumnal look on October 18, 2008 in Madrid, Spain. Getty Images -
Queen Rania, pictured with King Constantin of Greece, wore an artfully draped purple gown to the wedding banquet for Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden on June 19, 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden. Getty Images -
Queen Rania turns to a scalloped coral silk dress on October 30, 2008 in Paris, France. Getty Images -
Queen Rania amps up the drama with an oversized applique bloom at Windsor Castle on May 18, 2012 in London. Getty Images -
The royal steps out in a blue dress with flattering white panels while with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall on March 12, 2013, in Amman. Getty Images -
Queen Rania embraces a fringe of feathers with this long-sleeved top and draped skirt at the Women in the World summit on October 8, 2015 in London, England. Getty Images -
Queen Rania, pictured with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and German politician Christian Lindner on September 17, 2015 , wears a belted skirt with a subtly embellished blouse. Getty Images -
The royal, pictured with Queen Letizia of Spain, wrapped up in a fashion-forward tweed jacket to arrive in Madrid on November 19, 2015. Getty Images -
Queen Rania, photographed with Queen Letizia of Spain on November 20, 2015, has long championed the midi skirt, but this pleated black and white number might be her best one yet. Getty Images -
Queen Rania debuted a cutaway coat layered over a hot-pink pencil dress on January 8, 2016 in London. Getty Images -
Queen Rania looks regal in a flowing teal gown, and complementing golden headband, at the Royal Hashemite Court on June 2, 2016. Getty Images -
Queen Rania, with Crown Prince Hussein, embraces Hama Fashion's traditional prints in a modern silhouette for Jordan's 70th Independence Day on May 25, 2016. Getty Images -
Queen Rania made a rare appearance in eclectic Valentino prints at the Ein Herz Fuer Kinder Gala on December 3, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. Getty Images -
Queen Rania wrapped up in a statement red Givenchy coat and matching heels at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on August 11, 2017 in Camberley, England. Getty Images -
The royal kept it simple yet super contemporary in a white Givenchy shirt dress at Fashion for Relief on May 21, 2017 in Cannes, France. Getty Images -
Queen Rania wears an embellished pencil skirt with a light knit on November 30, 2017 in Oxfordshire, England. Getty Images -
Queen Rania wore a dusky blue, high-necked dress for Princess Salma's graduation ceremony on May 22, 2018. Getty Images -
Queen Rania turned to a fuchsia midi and heels by Amina Muaddi for a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II and King Abdullah II on January 1, 2019. Getty Images -
The royal wears relaxed trousers and a loose scarlet Antonio Berardi jacket to tour the Jabal Al-Luweibdeh neighbourhood on April 17, 2019, in Amman. Getty Images -
Queen Rania wore relaxed, safari-inspired Michael Kors suiting for a visit to Al-Maghtas in Jordan, where Jesus is believed by Christians to have been baptised, in March 2020. AFP -
Queen Rania, pictured with Queen Sonia and King Harald V of Norway in Amman, on March 2, 2020, chose a clean yet ultra modern Izeta coat for the royals' visit to Jordan. EPA. -
Queen Rania, in Michael Kors, visits the baptism site of Al-Maghtas, the baptism site of Jesus Christ, on March 3, 2020. AFP -
Queen Rania, wearing pink Calvin Klein, during a visit to one of the projects of the Productive Youth Initiative in Amman, Jordan on March 30, 2021. AFP -
Queen Rania, in a red dress by Lebanese label Bazaza, at the White House in Washington, US, on July 19, 2021. Photo: Balkis Press -
Queen Rania, in a pale green blouse and wool trousers by Chloe, meets Pfizer chief executives in Washington DC with King Abdullah II, on Tuesday, July 20. Photo: Balkis Press -
Queen Rania, in white Roksanda, arrives to meet Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at the Capitol in Washington on July 22, 2021. Photo: Balkis Press -
Queen Rania, in a white V-neck Dior midi coat, with a gold Dior belt and Louis Vuitton handbag, visits the Queen Rania Family and Child Centre with Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in Amman, Jordan on November 16, 2021. Reuters -
Queen Rania wears a cream and gold abaya for a private dinner at the Al Husseiniya Palace, in Amman, Jordan on November 16, 2021. Reuters -
Queen Rania, in a red wool-crepe midi skirt by Emilia Wickstead paired with a white shirt, at the ceremony for the Zayed Award For Human Fraternity on February 26, 2022, at The Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Queen Rania, in a pleated black chiffon dress with a red waist belt, receives the Path to Peace Award in New York along with her husband, on May 9, 2022. AFP
