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Jordan is preparing for its first major royal wedding in 30 years as Crown Prince Hussein is set to tie the knot - barring any highly unexpected plot twists - with Saudi fiancee Rajwa al-Saif on Thursday 1 June. 

The couple will be wed in the same venue as both his father and grandfather were in downtown Amman, in a wedding ceremony designed to project stability and continuity in the royal household.

Hussein, who currently serves as a captain in the Jordanian Armed Forces, holds a degree in International History from Georgetown and is believed to be a 44th-generation direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed. 

His fiancée, Rajwa al-Saif, is an architect who has also lived and worked in the US - and is a second cousin to the Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Little is known about how the couple met, before their engagement in August last year. 

A logo has even been launched to celebrate the day - featuring Arabic calligraphy of the words 'We Rejoice'. 

The Henna preparations 

On Monday evening, Hussein’s mother hosted a 600-strong traditional Henna party for Rajwa to kick off the week’s celebrations. 

The new member of the Hashemite household entered in a shower of roses and music sung by Jordanian songwriter Nedaa Sharara. 

Nine professional henna artists from across Jordan painted her hands as Queen Rania welcomed her new daughter-in-law to the kingdom. 

"I’m so happy that you could all be here to celebrate with us. Today is a special day for us, and to our entire Jordanian family: Our joy is one and the same… near or far, you are all in our hearts today," said the queen. 

Free concerts

At the same time, tens of thousands of Jordanians attended an opening concert at the Amman International Stadium on Monday night, featuring some of Jordan and the region's hottest musical talents, from Diana Karazon and Zain Awad to Egyptians Tamer Hosny and Ahmed Saad. 

ديانا كرزون تطرب الأردنيين فرحا بالحسين
التفاصيل في الرابط:

— Roya News (@RoyaNews)

The procession 

In the build up to Thursday’s celebrations, the streets of Amman will be increasingly closed to traffic. Between 15:00 and 19:00 Jordan time, the city will be on near-lockdown as the royal cavalcade makes its way downtown. 

The Jordanian authorities have announced that public transport will be free for people who wish to reach the procession route. 

Jordan’s royal procession has been a mainstay of the country’s traditions since the establishment of the Hashemite kingdom in 1946. 

71 members of the Royal Guard, typically wearing red scarves, lead the procession of 20 red land rovers and motorcycles. 

Who is attending? 

The guest list has been a closely-guarded secret - but a few key names are out there in the public domain. 

American first lady Jill Biden, fresh from her attendance at the coronation of King Charles III in London, is already confirmed. 

Royal families from Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Japan have all publicly confirmed their attendance too. 

Rumours are circling over whether William and Kate, next in line to the British throne, will put in an appearance. 

The British royal family is close to the Jordanian rulers, who have attended several major state ceremonies in the UK in recent years. 

King Abdullah and Queen Rania were part of the 2,300 strong congregation in Westminster Abbey to see King Charles III be crowned earlier in May. 

Henna Party for Rajwa Al Saif hosted by Queen Rania ahead of the Royal Wedding of Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan and Miss Rajwa Al Saif

— Rajwa Al Saif (@cprajwa)