Jordan’s Princess Raiyah bint Al-Hussein has married her British fiancé, Ned Donovan, who is a journalist and also the grandson of children’s author Roald Dahl.
The princess shared a series of photos on Twitter thanking everyone for their “kind messages”. She also revealed the couple were due to marry in Jordan in April, but the COVID-19 pandemic put their plans on hold, with the pair eventually opting for a smaller ceremony in the UK with family and friends.
“Thank you all for your kind messages on our wedding!” she said. “While it was originally planned for April in Jordan, the pandemic derailed those plans and it was safer for my husband’s family to hold it in the UK.”
Thank you all for your kind messages on our wedding!While it was originally planned for April in Jordan, the pandemic derailed those plans and it was safer for my husband’s family to hold it in the UK. God willing we look forward to celebrating in Jordan once the situation allows pic.twitter.com/moCMSOxZxp
— Raiyah bint Al-Hussein (@RaiyahHKJ) July 7, 2020
The bride – who is the daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan and Queen Noor of Jordan and is also the half-sister of the current King Abdullah II – also shared her hopes for a celebration in her home country once the “situation allows”.
Prior to the ceremony Princess Raiyah’s now-husband, 26, converted to Islam ahead of the wedding and also changed his name to Faris. However, the groom revealed on his website that his “Arabic is not very good” but is currently trying to learn the language.
The couple announced their engagement last year in October in a royal statement.
Jordan Princess Raiyah weds Faris Ned Donovan in United Kingdom.
Congratulations @RaiyahHKJ @Ned_Donovan pic.twitter.com/c0uWYLYnV2
— Arabian Royal Agency (@ARoyalAgency) July 7, 2020
“The Royal Hashemite Court extends its sincere congratulations to Her Royal Highness Princess Raiyah and to Mr Donovan on this occasion,” the statement read.
Having studied at the likes of Edinburgh University in the UK for her undergraduate degree and at Columbia University in New York City for her master’s degree in Japanese Literature, Princess Raiyah describes herself as an “academic, writer, public servant”.
