The coming trip to Jordan and other regional countries will be Jill Biden's first trip to the Middle East as first lady. AP
The coming trip to Jordan and other regional countries will be Jill Biden's first trip to the Middle East as first lady. AP
The coming trip to Jordan and other regional countries will be Jill Biden's first trip to the Middle East as first lady. AP
The coming trip to Jordan and other regional countries will be Jill Biden's first trip to the Middle East as first lady. AP

Jill Biden to attend Jordan royal wedding


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First lady Jill Biden will attend the Jordan royal wedding as part of an upcoming trip to the Middle East, North Africa and Europe, the Associated Press reported.

It will be her first visit to the Middle East as first lady. She had travelled to Namibia and Kenya earlier this year.

Ms Biden is scheduled to depart on her six-day trip on Wednesday. In addition to Jordan, she is also to visit Egypt, Morocco and Portugal.

“The first lady believes that supporting youth across the world is critical to our common future, with education, health and empowerment at the heart of it,” said Vanessa Valdivia, her spokeswoman.

“With her visit to the Middle East and North Africa, the first lady will continue to build on her work to empower young people, and reaffirm our commitment to strengthen our partnerships and advance our shared priorities in the region."

In Amman, the capital of Jordan, Ms Biden will attend the June 1 wedding of Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and Rajwa Al Saif, a Saudi architect.

President Joe Biden and the first lady have a deep and long-standing friendship with the Crown Prince's parents, King Abdullah II and Queen Rania.

  • Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein celebrates as festivities begin before his wedding to Rajwa Al Saif at the Royal Hashemite Court in Amman. Reuters
    Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein celebrates as festivities begin before his wedding to Rajwa Al Saif at the Royal Hashemite Court in Amman. Reuters
  • Jordan's King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Hussein at a performance before the start of a dinner. Reuters
    Jordan's King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Hussein at a performance before the start of a dinner. Reuters
  • Crown Prince Hussein poses with relatives and colleagues during a traditional pre-wedding ceremony. Reuters
    Crown Prince Hussein poses with relatives and colleagues during a traditional pre-wedding ceremony. Reuters
  • The Prince takes part in a traditional pre-wedding ceremony. Reuters
    The Prince takes part in a traditional pre-wedding ceremony. Reuters
  • US first lady Jill Biden is greeted by International Women of Courage Award winner Hadeel Aziz on arrival in Amman. Photo: Twitter @FLOTUS
    US first lady Jill Biden is greeted by International Women of Courage Award winner Hadeel Aziz on arrival in Amman. Photo: Twitter @FLOTUS
  • A man paints a car with 'celebrating Al Hussein'. Reuters
    A man paints a car with 'celebrating Al Hussein'. Reuters
  • A worker prepares a poster at a workshop in Madaba, Jordan. Reuters
    A worker prepares a poster at a workshop in Madaba, Jordan. Reuters
  • Posters depicting Prince Hussein and bride-to-be Ms Al Saif. Reuters
    Posters depicting Prince Hussein and bride-to-be Ms Al Saif. Reuters
  • Bride-to-be Rajwa Al Saif at a dinner party held by Queen Rania of Jordan. Photo: Queen Rania Media Office
    Bride-to-be Rajwa Al Saif at a dinner party held by Queen Rania of Jordan. Photo: Queen Rania Media Office
  • Queen Rania of Jordan with bride-to-be Rajwa Al Saif
    Queen Rania of Jordan with bride-to-be Rajwa Al Saif
  • Queen Rania of Jordan embraces bride-to-be Rajwa Al Saif. Photo: Queen Rania Media Office
    Queen Rania of Jordan embraces bride-to-be Rajwa Al Saif. Photo: Queen Rania Media Office
  • Ms Al Saif has participated in a number of Jordanian royal engagements
    Ms Al Saif has participated in a number of Jordanian royal engagements
  • Queen Rania has been giving the public small glimpses inside the wedding-planning process. AFP
    Queen Rania has been giving the public small glimpses inside the wedding-planning process. AFP
  • Queen Rania with Azza al-Sudairi alongside Princess Iman and Princess Salma during a pre-wedding dinner party. AFP
    Queen Rania with Azza al-Sudairi alongside Princess Iman and Princess Salma during a pre-wedding dinner party. AFP
  • The wedding will take place on June 1. AFP
    The wedding will take place on June 1. AFP
  • A man holds up a pre-wedding poster at a free concert celebration ahead of the wedding Amman International Stadium. AFP
    A man holds up a pre-wedding poster at a free concert celebration ahead of the wedding Amman International Stadium. AFP
  • Jordanian singer Diana Karazon performs during the concert celebration at Amman International Stadium. AFP
    Jordanian singer Diana Karazon performs during the concert celebration at Amman International Stadium. AFP
  • The official portrait for the engagement of Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Rajwa Khaled Alseif. Photo RHCJO, Instagram
    The official portrait for the engagement of Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Rajwa Khaled Alseif. Photo RHCJO, Instagram
  • The ring of Rajwa Al Saif was visible in the official portrait Photo: Royal Hashemite Court
    The ring of Rajwa Al Saif was visible in the official portrait Photo: Royal Hashemite Court
  • The couple became engaged at the home of Ms Al Saif's father in Riyadh last August.
    The couple became engaged at the home of Ms Al Saif's father in Riyadh last August.
  • The happy couple in the presence of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah. Photo: Royal Hashemite Court
    The happy couple in the presence of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah. Photo: Royal Hashemite Court
  • Ms Al Saif has participated in a number of Jordanian royal engagements. Photo: Royal Hashemite Court
    Ms Al Saif has participated in a number of Jordanian royal engagements. Photo: Royal Hashemite Court

As vice president, Mr Biden and King Abdullah often had breakfast when the king visited Washington to see his son, then a student at Georgetown University.

King Abdullah also visited Mr Biden at his home in Delaware after Mr Biden returned to private life.

The two have met at least three times since Mr Biden became President, twice at the White House and once in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Ms Biden is expected to promote women and youth while on her trip.

She will meet with women and young people while in Egypt and Morocco, where she will also also discuss US investments to support education programmes.

While in Portugal, she will underscore the importance of arts in diplomacy while joining the State Department in celebrating the 60th anniversary of its Art in Embassies programme.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Updated: May 26, 2023, 5:58 PM