Sultan hosts banquet
Monday, July 16, 2007
AS ONE of the most awaited events every year, thousands of invited guests attended the royal banquet at Istana Nurul Iman to celebrate His Majesty's 61st birthday.
Part of Jalan Tutong, near the palace, was closed by traffic police to allow only guests, who arrived as early as 6pm.
The invited guests consisted of penghulus, village heads, imams, retirees, department heads, degree holding officers, members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the Royal Brunei Police. They arrived in their finest white baju kurung, cara melayu or uniforms, wearing proudly their well-earned medals and decorations. As the seats filled up, they waited anxiously for His Majesty to arrive.
The main dining hall was magnificently decorated in gold and white as more than 50 tables were arranged in nine rows for members of the royal family, ambassadors and state dignitaries. The scene was nothing short of perfection; plates, glasses and cutlery meticulously positioned on the tables, and four sets of water fountains down the sides of the hall, decorated with live orchids. Fresh flowers such as lilies and orchids in gentle shades neutralised the light reflecting off the massive crystal chandeliers. Well-dressed attendants went about the hall, placing jugs of drinks and tending to any special needs. Guests and their spouses mingled with their neighbours as they waited, entertained by a brass band.
Upon arrival at the dining hall, His Majesty Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was greeted by five trumpets. Accompanying His Majesty were Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar, his brothers and sisters, and his sons and daughters. Everybody then stood up as the brass band played the national anthem, "Allah Peliharakan Sultan", followed by the reading of a thanksgiving doa by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Abdul Aziz Juned.
After the grand dinner, guests were treated to a show of fireworks, which members of the public also took the opportunity to watch from various elevated areas.
The flyover in Batu Satu, near the RIPAS hospital, in particular was a popular viewing area.The Brunei Times
Part of Jalan Tutong, near the palace, was closed by traffic police to allow only guests, who arrived as early as 6pm.
The invited guests consisted of penghulus, village heads, imams, retirees, department heads, degree holding officers, members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the Royal Brunei Police. They arrived in their finest white baju kurung, cara melayu or uniforms, wearing proudly their well-earned medals and decorations. As the seats filled up, they waited anxiously for His Majesty to arrive.
The main dining hall was magnificently decorated in gold and white as more than 50 tables were arranged in nine rows for members of the royal family, ambassadors and state dignitaries. The scene was nothing short of perfection; plates, glasses and cutlery meticulously positioned on the tables, and four sets of water fountains down the sides of the hall, decorated with live orchids. Fresh flowers such as lilies and orchids in gentle shades neutralised the light reflecting off the massive crystal chandeliers. Well-dressed attendants went about the hall, placing jugs of drinks and tending to any special needs. Guests and their spouses mingled with their neighbours as they waited, entertained by a brass band.
Upon arrival at the dining hall, His Majesty Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was greeted by five trumpets. Accompanying His Majesty were Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar, his brothers and sisters, and his sons and daughters. Everybody then stood up as the brass band played the national anthem, "Allah Peliharakan Sultan", followed by the reading of a thanksgiving doa by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Abdul Aziz Juned.
After the grand dinner, guests were treated to a show of fireworks, which members of the public also took the opportunity to watch from various elevated areas.
The flyover in Batu Satu, near the RIPAS hospital, in particular was a popular viewing area.The Brunei Times
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