Related: Brunei's prince marries 17-year-old commoner

    BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei, Sept. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Brunei Darussalam on Thursday ushered in what was described as one of the most significant moments in the country's history when Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah got married at a grand ceremony attended by thousands of distinguished guests.

    The 30-year-old heir to the throne of this tiny oil-rich sultanate and his bride Dayangku Sarah binti Pengiran Salleh Ab Rahaman forged a royal union at the Bersanding (Malay wedding) ceremony, which was held at the throne room of the Istana Nurul Iman royal palace.

    Dayangku Sarah, born on April 9, 1987 in Bandar Seri Begawan, was officially conferred the title of Her Royal Highness by SultanHaji Hassanal Bolkiah at the ceremony which was attended by all the royal family members and thousands of distinguished guests.

    The Western-educated crown prince, with a golden crown on his head, was dressed in a light blue military uniform embroidered with golden thread and tasseled with golden beads.

    The bride, whose mother is Swiss, stood out as the highlight ofthe Royal Wedding when she walked along the red-carpeted aisle to sit on the pair of golden chairs side by side with her bridegroom.     

    Her light blue, silk, hand-made traditional Malay-style gown was shimmering as she made each movement towards the throne and a deep blue mantilla covered her head with her face shining under the light of joy and happiness.

    Some VVIPs, including Duke of Gloucester, Prince Richard of theUnited Kingdom, Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito, Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Philippine President Gloria Macaparal Arroyo were sitting together with the entire royal family members.

    The ceremony started with the lightening up of the "Dian Empat"which is a Royal Ceremonial Candle that consists of four candles used in particular ceremonies such as the Istiadat Berpuspa (Coronation Ceremony).

    The ceremony, held in a solemn and quiet atmosphere in the heavily-air-conditioned hall lit up by 12 huge chandeliers, ended with the newly-weds bowing to and kissing the hands of the Sultan and the Queen and other royal family members.

    The royal get-together was followed by a parade in the city center and the new couple were greeted by thousands of Bruneians and visitors bathed in an afternoon thunderstorm.

    The wedding ceremonies, kicked off on Aug. 26, will conclude onSept. 13 after hitting the climax with Thursday's Bersanding ceremony. Enditem