Brunei awaits grand royal wedding

By Jonathan Kent
BBC

The Crown Prince was educated at Oxford

Royalty and top politicians from around the world are gathering in the oil-rich state of Brunei for what is set to be Asia's most lavish wedding in years.

Brunei's Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah Bolkiah, 30, is due to marry Sarah Salleh, a 17-year-old commoner.

The official wedding booklet says the bride, who is of Swiss and Bruneian parentage, is known for her grace, intelligence and positive attitude.

The tiny state on the island of Borneo has become a byword for extravagance.

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, was the world's richest man before his younger brother Jeffrey lost billions of dollars through financial mismanagement.

However, the country's past woes will be forgotten on Thursday as its 360,000 citizens welcome 6,000 guests to the wedding of the man they one day expect to rule over them.

Great gathering

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito, Bahrain's King Hamad, Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia, and the Duke of Gloucester, who's representing Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, will all be there.

The teenage bride is a half-Swiss commoner

Most of neighbouring Malaysia's nine royal families will be celebrating in force while its prime minister - along with the leaders of Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand - are all expected to attend.

Members of the royal family are due to parade in a cortege of 105 limousines.

As the sultan owns some 150 Rolls-Royces, he'll have the option of saving on the hire charges.

No Michael Jackson

He is already getting a hand with the bill for fireworks.

The oil company Shell's Bruneian operation is showing its charitable side by chipping in about $300,000 towards the cost.

However, observers say this will be a relatively low-key affair by the sultanate's standards.

Michael Jackson, who entertained the sultan at his 50th birthday party eight years ago, will not be singing this time round.