Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa of Jordan are expecting their first child

Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa are expecting their first child.

The news of Princess Rajwa’s pregnancy was announced by the Jordanian royal family in a statement.

“The Royal Hashemite Court is pleased to announce that their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein are expecting their first baby this summer,” it reads.

The pair married in a glittering ceremony at Zahran Palace in Amman last June. The event was attended by Arab and western royalty.

The 140-person guest list included Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Jill Biden, the US first lady; Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales; and Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the mother of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim.

The daughter of Saudi businessman Khalid Al Saif, Princess Rajwa was educated in Saudi Arabia before moving to the US for higher education, where she studied architecture at Syracuse University.

As the eldest son of King Abdullah and Queen Rania, Prince Hussein is next in line to be king of Jordan.

King Abdullah appointed Hussein as Crown Prince in 2009, after a rift with the king’s half-brother, Prince Hamzah. Official media portrayed the wedding as a symbol of continuity in the Hashemite monarchy, which has ruled Jordan since its inception as a British protectorate in 1921.

In another symbol of family unity at the wedding, Princess Rajwa – wearing an elegant long-sleeved Elie Saab dress – was walked down the aisle by the youngest of the Jordanian royal children, Prince Hashem.

Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and Princess Rajwa got married on June 1. AP

Prince Hussein and his wife Princess Rajwa at their wedding ceremony in Jordan. EPA

The newlyweds pose for a family picture in Amman. Reuters

The bride waves from a car on her wedding day. Reuters

Jordan’s Prince Hashem bin Abdullah, the younger brother of Crown Prince Hussein, escorts the bride to her wedding ceremony. Photo: Royal Hashemite Court

The bride wore a white gown by Lebanese designer Elie Saab. EPA

The wrap-effect gown featured a flower print on its full skirt. Reuters

Princess Rajwa completed her look with a pair of flat shoes and a tiara. Reuters

Prince Hashem and Princess Rajwa enter Zahran Palace for the wedding ceremony. EPA

Prince Hussein arrives for the ceremony. EPA

Proud parents King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan before their son’s marriage. Reuters

Queen Rania speaks with her son before his wedding to Rajwa Al Saif. Reuters

Prince Hussein, Princess Rajwa and King Abdullah at the royal wedding ceremony. Reuters

Prince Hussein and his father await the bride’s arrival. Reuters

Prince Hussein places the ring on his bride’s finger before an audience of kings, queens, national leaders and family. Photo: Royal Hashemite Court

Princess Rajwa signs her marriage certificate as her husband, Prince Hussein, watches. Reuters

Former Jordanian crown prince Hassan bin Talal, uncle of King Abdullah, signs the marriage certificate at Zahran Palace in Amman. EPA

Family and guests at the royal wedding. EPA

All eyes are on the couple during their wedding. PA

Princess Rajwa’s mother, Azza Al Sudairi, and Queen Rania applaud the newlyweds. Reuters

Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa end their day by cutting their seven-tier wedding cake. Reuters

Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa use a ceremonial sword to cut their cake. Reuters

Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa after the ceremony. Reuters

Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa leave after the wedding ceremony. Reuters

Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa wave from their motorcade. Reuters

Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa wave to Jordanians on the streets of Amman after their wedding. Reuters

The convoy takes the newlyweds from their wedding to the grand reception at Al Husseiniya Palace. Reuters

The royal couple wave on their way to their wedding reception. Reuters

Guards on white horses take over from the red convoy of Land Rovers and BMW motorcycles escorting the royal couple. Reuters

Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa travel between Zahran and Al Husseiniya palaces. Reuters

An honour guard surrounds the royal couple as they arrive at Al Husseiniya Palace. Reuters

Applause for Prince Hussein and his wife at Al Husseiniya Palace. Reuters

King Abdullah, Queen Rania, Prince Hashem, Princess Salma and Princess Iman arrive at Al Husseiniya Palace after the royal wedding. Reuters

Shaikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, attends the royal wedding in Amman. Reuters

Jill Biden, wife of US President Joe Biden, and their daughter Ashley arrive at the venue. AP

Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate. AP

Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad and his brother, National Security Adviser Prince Nasser bin Hamad. EPA

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. PA

Former Armenian president Armen Sarkissian and his wife Nouneh. Reuters

Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, and her husband Prince Daniel. AP

Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Crown Princess Mary. Reuters

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his wife May. Reuters

Japanese Princess Takamado, right, and her daughter Princess Tsuguko, representing Emperor Naruhito, arrive at the venue of the wedding. Reuters

Malaysia’s King Sultan Abdullah and Queen Tunku Azizah. Reuters

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. Reuters

Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his son Prince Abdul Mateen. EPA

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid and his wife Shanaz Ahmed. Royal Hashemite Court / Reuters

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his wife Jeannette. Reuters

Philippa Karsera, first lady of Cyprus. Reuters

Bhutan’s Queen Jetsun Pema and Princess Euphelma. EPA

Former king of Spain Juan Carlos and his wife Sofia. AP

King Philippe of Belgium and his daughter, Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant. Reuters

Jordanians wave national flags in the streets. AP

The royal wedding is a national celebration for Jordan’s 11 million people and for many across the Middle East. AP

Who is Princess Rajwa?

Princess Rajwa was born in Riyadh, on April 28, 1994, according to Roya News in Jordan.

She is the youngest of four siblings — alongside Faisal, Nayef and Dana — born to businessman Khalid Al Saif and his wife Azza Al Sudairi.

Her secondary education took place in Saudi Arabia, before she moved to New York, US, to complete her higher education at the College of Architecture at Syracuse University.

During her time there, Princess Rajwa took a nine-day field trip to Dubai in 2016, as part of the course. “What made this trip so memorable for me was seeing the students in the studio experience Arabic culture and architecture for the first time,” she said, as reported on Syracuse University’s website.

“Dubai is very intriguing, having contemporary architecture while also attempting to maintain the traditional beauty of the Arabic culture and history.”