Arab Royals 2023 Round-Up: A Look Back Into The Year of Elegance, Unions and Celebrations
From wedding celebrations to pregnancy announcements, 2023 has been a big year for Royals in the Middle East…
In the realm of Arab Royalty, 2023 was a year filled with extraordinary occasions, each a chapter of grandeur and significance.
Jordan played host to two lavish weddings of HRH Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II to HRH Princess Rajwa Al Hussein, and HRH Princess Iman bint Abdullah II to Jameel Thermiotis. Meanwhile, on another note of joy, HH Sheikha Mahra Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum joyfully revealed her pregnancy following her union with Sheikh Mana Al Maktoum.
As 2023 draws to a close, Bazaar Arabia spotlights the significant moments that unfolded in the lives of Arab royalty, capturing the essence of opulence, joy, and cultural richness throughout the year.
Arab Royals 2023 Round-Up: A Look Back Into The Year of Elegance, Unions and Celebrations
January
HH Sheikh Maktoum Welcomes His Third Daughter
On January 26, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and his wife Sheikha Maryam bint Butti Al Maktoum welcomed a baby girl.
The news was announced by HH Sheikh Hamdan through an Instagram story post which revealed the baby’s name to be Shaikha Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.
February
HH Sheikha Mahra Graduates University
On February 4, Her Highness Sheikha Mahra Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the daughter of Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, took to Instagram to share images from her graduation ceremony.
Her Highness attended university in London and graduated with a degree in International Relations.
HH Sheikha Mahra also posted lovely images from her celebration with her mother, Zoe Grigorakos. The beautiful mother-daughter duo looks ecstatic with the news, as Sheikha Mahra mentions in the caption, “Family support is everything ❤️?.”
HH Sheikh Hamdan Announces The Arrival of A Son
The Crown Prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the arrival of his third child, a baby boy, on Saturday, February 25, evening.
His Highness shared the first images of his newborn son along with the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The baby’s name is Mohammed bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, according to the official announcement.
March
HRH Princess Iman Weds Jameel Thermiotis
On March 12, HRH Princess Iman bint Abdullah, the daughter of King Abdullah II of Jordan and Queen Rania, got married to Jameel Thermiotis, a 28-year-old businessman from a prominent Greek family.
The ceremony took place at Beit al Urdun Palace in Amman surrounded by family, friends and dignitaries.
Her Royal Highness opted for a classic design by the French fashion house, Dior with embroidered lace-cuff sleeves and a high neckline, complete with a matching veil and tiara by Chaumet.
HH Sheikha Mahra Gets Engaged to Sheikh Mana
On March 22, official sources reported the engagement of HH Sheikha Mahra to Sheikh Mana Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Bin Mana Al Maktoum.
While Sheikh Mana keeps a relatively low profile, he is active on Instagram, often sharing his passion for travel, adventure and animals.
April
HH Sheikha Mahra and Sheikh Mana Celebrate their Katb Al-Kitaab
On the evening of April 7, HH Sheikha Mahra and Sheikh Mana revealed via Instagram that they had celebrated their Katb Al-Kitaab — the official marriage ceremony and signing of the marriage contract.
The newlyweds shared the news through a poem on their official Instagram accounts.
Queen Rania Celebrates HRH Princess Rajwa’s Birthday
Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan shared a sweet photo as she smiled alongside Princess Rajwa Al Hussein. In the caption of the post, Her Majesty says, “Happy birthday to our lovely Rajwa!”
May
Queen Rania and King Abdullah II Attend King Charles III’s Coronation
Among many prominent political dignitaries, King Abdullah II and Queen Rania attended the Royal Coronation at Westminister Abbey on May 7.
Her Majesty attended the prestigious event wearing a beautiful yellow ensemble by luxury designer Tamara Ralph and paired the attire with a matching hat and delicate jewellery.
June
Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II Gets Married to Rajwa Alseif
On June 1, Prince Hussein tied the knot with Rajwa Alseif at Zahran Palace in Amman, surrounded by family and royals from around the world.
The bride walked down the aisle wearing a stunning white gown by Lebanese designer Elie Saab. From the beautiful veil to the diamond tiara — designed by Yan Sicard from Fred Jewelry and previously worn by Queen Rania.
The wedding was attended by Their Royal Highnesses Prince William and Princess Catherine of Wales, Their Royal Highnesses Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and King Williem-Alexander of Netherlands, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Princess Elisabeth of the Belgium.
Queen Rania donned a black full sleeves dress by Dior from their Fall 2022 Couture collection for the Royal Banquet, while HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar looked exquisite in this lime coloured Valentino attire.
HH Sheikha Mahra Weds Sheikh Mana
On June 4, HH Sheikha Mahra and Sheikh Mana tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at Dubai World Trade Centre. The event was low-profile however, Her Highness took to Instagram to share snippets from the monumental occasion.
On her special day, the beautiful bride, Sheikha Mahra, radiated in an embroidered dress crafted by Ezra Couture. She complemented her attire with exquisite diamond jewelry and a diamond watch. The bride chose to leave her long hair flowing and adorned it with a graceful, embroidered tulle veil.
Queen Rania Attends The Sun Valley Summit With King Abdullah II, Crown Prince Al Hussein, And Princess Rajwa
In a lovely display of togetherness, Queen Rania delighted her Instagram followers with beautiful photos featuring King Abdullah II, Crown Prince Al Hussein, and Princess Rajwa during their visit to Sun Valley, Idaho.
The royal family embarked on this journey as part of their participation in the esteemed economic forum held annually in the state. The annual forum draws a gathering of global political, economic, and media leaders who gather to discuss and navigate the intricacies of today’s ever-evolving political and economic landscapes.
The Queen also shared a separate portrait of the newest member of the Jordanian Royal Family – Princess Rajwa, who looked radiant in the photograph. The Princess looked stunning in a classic Maison Alaia denim number while Her Majesty donned a beautiful blue dress by Vocavaca.
August
HH Sheikha Mahra and Sheikh Mana Travel to Greece
Around late August, the newly wed couple HH Sheikha Mahra and Sheikh Mana ventured out to the Greek islands for their honeymoon.
The pair shared glimpses of their journey on Instagram, showcasing their exploration of Santorini, Mykonos, and Athens. The Royals immersed themselves in aquatic adventures, including jet skiing and boat rides. They also seized the opportunity to unwind, basking on the beach and savoring the refreshing summer breeze.
On Instagram, HH Sheikha Mahra and Sheikh Mana can be seen strolling the streets together in casual attire. Her Highness is wearing a turquoise printed co-ord, pairing the look with white sandals and a handbag; her husband looks relaxed in khaki slacks, a button-down shirt, and a straw fedora hat.
Queen Rania Celebrates Her 53rd Birthday with Family
On August 31, Her Majesty took to Instagram to share photos of her celebrations with Royal family members.
In the post, Queen Rania is seen seated beside her husband, King Abdullah II, her son, Crown Prince Al Hussein, and his wife, Princess Rajwa. Her Majesty expressed gratitude to her family and fellow Jordanians through her caption saying, “I thank my lucky stars for each and every one of you! Your Majesty, my family, and all the wonderful Jordanians out there, you have made me feel truly special.”
For the celebration, Queen Rania donned a classic white blouse paired with denim blue jeans ensemble and completed the lovely attire with stylish accessories. Princess Rajwa opted for an elegant brown jumpsuit paired with a thick black belt and completed her outfit with emerald earrings.
September
Queen Rania Celebrates Princess Iman and Princess Salma’s Birthday
On September 26, Her Majesty Queen Rania took to Instagram to share a heart-warming post dedicated to her daughters Princess Iman bint Abdullah and Princess Salma bint Abdullah’s birthdays. Princess Salma turned 23, while her elder sister Princess Iman turned 27 on September 27.
Her Majesty expressed her love for her daughters through the caption, “My whole heart! Happy birthday to my sweet daughters, I cherish you more and more every day”
Queen Rania looked elegant as always and is seen wearing a light sky blue dress that had been intricately embellished with white and azure crystals. Additionally, Princess Iman looked stylish in a silky lavender dress with white embroidery, and Princess Salma donned a classy crimson dress with patterned borders.
October
HH Sheikha Mahra and Sheikh Mana Travel to the United Kingdom
HH Sheikha Mahra and Sheikh Mana shared photos of their trip to Britain on Instagram, which included some gorgeous detail shots of their latest getaway spot: a country retreat.
Her Highness shared snaps of historical architecture, like Kingston Bridge — built in 1828 — and revealed the beautiful flora and fauna during an evening walk.
Additionally, Sheikh Mana celebrated his birthday in the cosy countryside estate. Sheikha Mahra took to Instagram to share photos and videos of the special day, wishing her husband a joyous birthday.
The Dubai Royal captured a photo of golden helium balloons shaped in the numbers ’25’ and expressed her love, saying “Happy Birthday my love…my everything.”
HH Sheikha Mahra Reveals That She Is Pregnant
On October 18, the Dubai princess took to Instagram stories to share an image of an ultrasound scan, revealing that she is expecting a baby. Her Highness placed a white heart on the photo, expressing her love and excitement for the upcoming bundle of joy.
“Just the three of us,” Her Highness wrote in the caption, tagging Sheikh Mana.
November
HH Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Maktoum and Natalie Lankester Reveal That They Are Expecting a Third Child
On the morning of November 8, Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, the nephew of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and his wife, accomplished British equestrian Natalie Lankester announced that they are pregnant with their third child.
The couple took to Instagram to share a photo of the family, with their two daughters holding up an ultrasound scan, to announce the happy news. The family was accompanied with a white horse, signifying the couple’s mutual love of equestrian sports.
December
Global Leaders and Royals Arrive in The UAE for COP28
COP28, the 28th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference which served as a platform for discussion of important climate considerations in the present and future, had been held in Expo City Dubai, the United Arab Emirates – from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
HH Sheikh Hamdan and HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE welcomed several important dignitaries, including His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan and King Charles III of the United Kingdom.
HH Sheikha Moza Celebrates Qatar National Day
December 18 marks Qatar’s National Day, also recognised as Founder’s Day, celebrating the historic unification of the country in 1878.
Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message conveyed through a video. The post highlights the profound camaraderie among Qataris and emphasizes the significance of the National Qatari Flag, embodying the essence of unity and national pride.
HH Sheikha Mahra and Sheikh Mana Spend Their Winter Holidays in Courchevel
The Royal couple enjoyed the last few weeks of 2023 in the French village of Courchevel, a prime skiing location that lights up during the winter season.
Her Highness shared a lovely image with her husband Sheikh Mana in front of a lovely Christmas tree and a picturesque white snowy atmosphere. Sheikh Mana shared other images of the location and even took us on a helicopter ride via Instagram stories.
Lead image courtesy of @hhshmahra on Instagram and The Royal Hashemite Court