Princess Rajwa Al Hussein
| Princess Rajwa Al Hussein | |
|---|---|
Rajwa in 2024 | |
| Born | Rajwa bint Khaled bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al Saif 28 April 1994 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | Princess Iman |
| Father | Khaled bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al Saif |
| Mother | Azza bint Nayef bin Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Sudairi |
| Education | |
| Jordanian royal family |
|---|
| Extended royal family |
Princess Rajwa Al Hussein (Arabic: رجوة الحسين; born Rajwa bint Khaled bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al Saif; 28 April 1994) is a Saudi member of the Jordanian royal family. She is married to Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan, heir apparent to the Jordanian throne.
The couple's engagement was announced in August 2022 and they married in a ceremony in Amman on 1 June 2023. The couple has a daughter, Princess Iman. Born in Saudi Arabia, Princess Rajwa was previously trained as an architect. Since her marriage, she has joined the Crown Prince in his official engagements in Jordan and abroad.
Early life and career
Rajwa bint Khaled bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al Saif was born on 28 April 1995 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She is the youngest of four children born to Saudi businessman Khaled Al Saif (1953–2024), president of the Al Saif Group, and his wife Azza Al Sudairi. She has three older siblings: Faisal, Nayef, and Dana.[1] The Al Saif family descends from the sheikhs of the town of Al-Attar in the Sudair region,[2][3] which historically belonged to the Subai tribe, one of the prominent tribal groups of central Arabia.
Her mother, Azza Al Sudairi, comes from the distinguished Al Sudairi family, the same lineage as King Salman of Saudi Arabia’s mother, Hussa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi, and his late wife, Sultana bint Turki Al Sudairi.[2] Through her maternal line, Rajwa is therefore a first cousin twice removed of King Salman and a second cousin once removed of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This familial connection places her within one of the most influential families in the Saudi royal and aristocratic circles, with deep historical and political roots in the Najd region.
Her father, Khaled bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al Saif, was a prominent businessman and founder of Al Seif Engineering Contracting, a major construction and development company involved in several large-scale infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia and abroad. He earned a degree in civil engineering from the American University of Beirut, where he developed an early interest in urban planning and sustainable design. He later served as president of the Al Saif Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests spanning engineering, healthcare, and technology. Khaled Al Saif passed away in February 2024, a few months after his daughter’s royal wedding to Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan.[1][4]
Rajwa completed her secondary education in Riyadh,[5] where she developed a keen interest in architecture and design. Following her schooling, she moved to the United States to pursue higher education, earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Syracuse University School of Architecture in 2017.[5][6][7][8] During her years at Syracuse, she was known as Rajwa Alseif and became active in several academic and cultural initiatives.[5][9] She notably organized a symposium on start-ups and sustainable development in desert environments, reflecting her long-standing interest in innovative urbanism and ecological design.[10]
After completing her undergraduate studies, Rajwa continued her education at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, where she obtained an Associate of Arts degree in visual communications in 2019.[5][11] During this period, she gained practical experience working at the Los Angeles–based architecture firm Patterns Design, where she contributed to several modern design projects characterized by innovative material use and spatial experimentation.[8][5][12] Upon returning to Riyadh, she joined the Designlab Experience design studio, where she further honed her architectural and aesthetic sensibilities, specializing in interior environments and event design.
In addition to her native Arabic, Rajwa is fluent in English and French, skills which have contributed to her cosmopolitan background and ease in international settings.[13]
Marriage and family
The Royal Hashemite Court announced Al Saif's engagement to Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan, eldest son of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan on 17 August 2022.[14] The engagement ceremony took place at the home of Al Saif's father in Riyadh.[15][7][8] The ceremony was attended by the King and Queen of Jordan, members of the Jordanian royal family, and members of the Al Saif family.[16] On 22 May 2023, Rajwa's pre-royal wedding henna party was held at the Madareb Bani Hashem.[17] She wore a dress designed by Saudi fashion brand Honayda.[17]
The couple were married on 1 June 2023 at Zahran Palace.[18] Rajwa wore a custom Elie Saab gown for the ceremony and a Dolce & Gabbana gown for the evening reception.[19] By royal decree, Rajwa became known as Her Royal Highness Princess Rajwa Al Hussein upon her marriage.[20]
On 3 August 2024, Rajwa gave birth to a daughter, Princess Iman bint Hussein, at King Hussein Medical Center in Amman.[21] Since the Jordanian throne passes according to agnatic primogeniture, Princess Iman is not in the line of succession.[22]
Public life
Rajwa made her first official public appearance as Crown Prince Hussein's fiancée in October 2022 when she visited the Royal Covenant with Hussein and his great-uncle Prince Hassan bin Talal.[23] She accompanied Hussein during a visit to the Scent of Colour initiative for the blind and visually impaired in January 2023, which marked their first official public engagement as a couple.[24] In September that year, the couple met with US congress members in Washington DC, which marked their first public engagement since their wedding.[25]
In January 2024 Rajwa accompanied Crown Prince Hussein on his official visit to Singapore.[26] In June, she attended King Abdullah II's Silver Jubilee national celebration event in Amman.[27] In November, she attended the inauguration of Jordan's 20th parliamentary session led by King Abdullah II in Amman.[28] In December, she and her husband visited the "Seeds of Hope Center", which deals with treating disorders in adults and children, in Amman.[29]
In March 2025, she joined her husband during a visit at the "Children's Museum Jordan" in Amman to celebrate the iftar meal together with the orphans present.[30]
References
- ^ a b Petit, Stephanie (19 February 2024). "Princess Rajwa of Jordan's Father Dies Just 8 Months After Her Royal Wedding to Crown Prince Hussein". People. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Rajwa Al Saif : la future reine de Jordanie se dévoile". Point de Vue (in French). Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
- ^ "Who is Rajwa Al Saif, the fiancée of the Crown Prince?". en.royanews.tv. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
- ^ "Royal Hashemite Court mourns passing of Princess Rajwa's father". Royal Hashemite Court. 18 February 2024. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Who Is Rajwa Al Saif? Meet Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan's Wife". Town & Country. 1 June 2023. Archived from the original on 24 July 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Syracuse Architecture — Program". Syracuse University School of Architecture. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ a b Gillett, Katy (18 August 2022). "Who is Rajwa Al Saif, the Saudi fiancee of Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein?". The National. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ a b c "Prince Hussein of Jordan and New Fiancée Give Kate and Prince William Vibes in Engagement Photo". People. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ Wackerow, Elaine (14 April 2016). "Architecture Students Explore Sustainable Design in Heart of Dubai". Syracuse University News. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ "Get Lectured: Syracuse University, Spring '16". Archinect News. 12 February 2016. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ "FIDM Grad To Marry Crown Prince Of Jordan". Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. 12 February 2016. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ "Rajwa Alseif: 6 Facts You Didn't Know About Jordan Crown Prince Hussein's Fiancée". Harper's Bazaar Arabia. 24 April 2023. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ "Jordan prepares for a royal wedding of its crown prince and an L.A.-educated architect". Los Angeles Times. 31 May 2023. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ "Crown Prince engaged to Rajwa Al Saif". rhc.jo. 17 August 2022. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ @RHCJO (17 August 2022). "The Royal Hashemite Court is pleased to announce the engagement of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II to Ms Rajwa Khaled bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al Saif, and extends its sincere congratulations on this occasion" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Shaji, Shereen (18 August 2022). "Everything to Know About Jordanian Crown Prince Hussein's Saudi Fiancée, Rajwa Al-Saif". Vogue Arabia. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ a b Bridger-Linning, Stephanie (23 May 2023). "Queen Rania of Jordan shares behind-the-scenes video of Rajwa Al Saif's pre-royal wedding henna party". Tatler. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ "Royal Hashemite Court announces date of Crown Prince's wedding". Royal Hashemite Court. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ Chablani, Nitya (1 June 2023). "Rajwa Al-Saif Wore a Dreamy Elie Saab Bridal Gown for Her Royal Wedding To Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan". Vogue Arabia. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "Statement from the Royal Hashemite Court". The Royal Hashemite Court. 1 June 2023. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ "Princess Rajwa, Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan welcome their first child". Arab News. 3 August 2024. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Nace la primera nieta de Abdalá y Rania de Jordania: la razón por la que nunca llegará a reinar" (in Spanish). La Razón/Gente. 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ Hennie, Janine (19 October 2022). "Prince Hussein of Jordan's New Fiancée Rajwa Al-Saif Wears Necklace Sweetly Linking Their Initials". People. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ "Crown Prince, Ms Rajwa Al Saif visit 'Scent of Colour' initiative". The Jordan Times. 23 January 2023. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Princess Rajwa attends congress meetings with Jordan's Crown Prince". Arab News. 24 September 2023. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ Chablani, Nitya (10 January 2024). "Jordan's Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein and Prince Hussein's first official overseas visit will be to Singapore". Vogue Arabia. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Bickerstaff, Isaac (11 June 2024). "Princess Rajwa of Jordan is radiant as she celebrates King Abdullah's Silver Jubilee alongside Queen Rania and Crown Prince Hussein in her first public appearance since announcing her pregnancy". Tatler. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ "Queen Rania and Princess Rajwa attend the opening of Jordan's 20th parliamentary session". The National. 18 November 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
- ^ "Princess Rajwa and Crown Prince Hussein visit speech therapy center in Amman". Arab News. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
- ^ "Princess Rajwa, Crown Prince Hussein attend iftar with orphaned children in Amman". Arab News. 26 March 2025. Retrieved 26 March 2025.