A NEW RAJA PERMAISURI AGONG? - Malaysia's Unnoticed 'Royal Wedding'

A 'Royal Wedding' took place last month in Russia (though the newlyweds are no way related to Romanovs!). Malaysian Federal King/Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, tied the knot with a local model & former Miss Moscow (2015), Oksana Voevodina, on Thursday 22 November 2018 in Moscow. And while these news are yet to be confirmed by Kuala Lumpur's Istana Negara (/National Palace), but it obviously has happened, the marriage brings up the question whether Malaysia will have soon a new Queen (as Muhammad V is the nation's first Head of state without a current consort). Let's see more about this worth-to-be-noticed event.

THE CEREMONY:

It was first reported by the Russian Islamic newspaper "IslamNews", being quickly virally reproduced by Russian, Malaysian and Islamic media. Nothing was known before the wedding actually happened. Malaysia's King has been abroad for a treatment (and temporary replaced in official functions by his deputy, Sultan Nazrin Shah) since November 2. The ceremony took place at the Barvikha Concert Hall (in Moscow). It was the combination of Malay & Russian, muslim & christian traditions. The groom was dressed in a navy blue baju Melayu (a traditional Malay garb), while the bride wore a 'sparkling' white wedding dress. The reception, which saw the couple dancing in the sound of Romantic performance, was alcohol free, with the guests being served halal food.

The wedding was reported to be a last-moment decision, as pair is said to have already been married in Malaysia, with the bride having conversed to Islam since April 16, and taking the name Rihana Oxana Gorbatenko (with the Malaysian version: Cik Rihana binti Abdullah). The couple also went to a German fertility clinic for "treatment" (according to Oxana's press secretary), both before and after this marriage with rumours spreading that they are preparing for children. Sultan Muhammad V is reportedly anxious to have children, such as till now, at the age of 49, none of his marriages produced a heir to his state (leaving his brother, Muhammad Fa'iz Petra, regent of his state - Kelantan during his five year tenure as Malaysia's 15th King). But let's also find out about the Couple themselves!!

The Newlyweds:

Sultan Muhammad V (with the full name: Muhammad Fariz Petra), was born on October 6, 1969 to Sultan Ismail Petra of Kelantan and Raja Perempuan Tengku Anis Tengku Abdul Hamid. He received an Islamic education in Kuala Lumpur and Oxford, and additionally studied bysiness, development & leadership at universities in UK, Germany and Canada. Muhammad married to Kangsadal Pipitpakdee, a Pattani Princess (from the historical Pattani Sultanate in Northern Malaysia-Southern Thailand) in November 2004, though this marriage didn't produce any children and broke down in 2008. As the Sultan's elder son, Fariz was proclaimed Tengku Mahkota (/Crown Prince) of Kelantan on his sixteenth birthday and succeeded his father, Ismail II, on the Sultanate's throne in 2010, after the later was incapacitated due to a serious stroke a year earlier (see also this former post, which is talking more about it - https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2018/12/golden-wedding-of-kelantans-former.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR1hXKNAfK09ILq1KmZqPC-InsDFHUcwSa8QpuoXWQiCwGAIJVwDcPmbzrQ). Becoming a deputy Head of state of Malaysia in 2011, Muhammad V was selected the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2016 (by the Council of Rulers), for a five-year term. He is the first serving King of Malaysia to reign without a consort (/Raja Permaisuri Agong), the first one with both parents alive (as usually Malay rulers succeed their original Sultanates after their father's death), and the youngest current Malay monarch.

Oksana Andreievna Gorbatenko was born on 20 January 1994, and is a Russian former model and beauty 'Queen'. Her parents are Dr. Andrei Ivanovich Gorbatenko, an orthopaedic surgeon & traumatologist from Rostov-on-Don, and Lyudmila, née Voevodina, a concert pianist & beauty contestant in the early 1990s. She became widely known 3 years ago, when she contested in the beauty pageant of Miss Moscow 2015 and was crowned the winner with vitsal statistics as 33-23-35.

"Needs-to-be-confirmed"

Inspite the fact the marriage was held, and the photogrphs of newlyweds are recognisable, none official source from Malaysia has yet confirmed it. Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, after being asked in a press conference about it a week later, said he doesn't know about the wedding and hasn't any official information, so he "can't say anything". And while many Malaysians are interested about the possibility of a future young Queen (as are the Kelantanans about a possible Raja Perempuan), nothing could be confidentialy said until the King returns from his treatment leave, on January 1, 2019. If abovementioned reports will come out true, and they will welcome a heir in near future, it's possible Sultan Muhammad V will try to 'formalise' him and his mother. Thus, Oksana Voevodina may be elevated to the Royal Consort of Kelantan, and then as Malaysia's Raja Permaisuri Agong. But time will show us more...

PM's answer & Video-clip from Wedding reception:

And more links of information:

https://www.worldofbuzz.com/ydp-agong-marries-miss-moscow-2015-in-stunning-russian-wedding/

https://www.rt.com/news/445139-moscow-beauty-malaysia-king-baby/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_V_of_Kelantan

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7836106/russian-beauty-queen-malaysia-wedding-king-muhammed-kelantan/

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/30/dr-m-i-dont-know-of-kings-wedding-pm-says-he-doesnt-have-any-official-confirmation/

PALACE OR LOVE - A NON-IMPERIAL WEDDING IN JAPAN

A high profile wedding took place in Japan on Monday, October 29, 2018. Princess Ayako of Takamado, the 28-year-old younger daughter of the late first cousin of the Emperor, married to Kei Moriya, 32, a shipping firm employe & bysinessman she had met in December last year. According to the conservative rules of Japanese Imperial House (which member she was), Ayako had to renounce her titles & leave the Imperial family, because her new husband is a commoner. Let's see this nearly Imperial wedding in details!

The ceremony: 

The wedding rites were held in the Meiji Shrine and followed the (Japanese common) shinto doctrine.

The bride arrived at about 10:30 am, with the bridegroom waiting her at the temple's yard. Some 1,000 well wishers had gathered outside to take a glimpse of this ceremony of a regal character and huge symbolical importance. The Temple itself was opened in 1920 and is dedicated to the souls of Ayako's great-great-grandfather, the Emperor Meiji (Mutsuhito), whose reign oversaw rapid modernization & westernization in Japan (also known as the Meiji Restoration) and his wife Empress Shoken (Masako). As the young couple entered the shrine, the crowds outside congratulted them shouting the traditional "Banzai", an aspicious wish for long life. The ceremony took place in one of the pagoda-like buildings inside the shrine complex, attended only by close family members.

The Princess was dressed in a light-yellow uchiki kimono, emboidered with red & green pattern leaves & flowers, wide-legged trousers (tied at the waist & falling to the ankles), and her hair swept back into a ponytail - a traditional look from the Heian era (794-1185 in Japan). In addition she also carried a hiougi (a fan made from Japanese cypress). The bridegroom wore a western-style black morning coat, gray (pin-striped) trousers, and a silk hat that once belonged to Ayako's late father, Prince Takamado. Shortly before the ceremony began, the bride changed to a formal Japanese (shinto style) robe (a red kuchiki - "small cloak" with long, wide sleeves, and a long divided skirt called a naga-bakama). This "colour-change" (iro-naoshi) symbolised her "re-birth" to the new family. The wedding ceremony included some local & westernized rituals, including the exchange of nuptial sake cups, marriage vows & rings, and a sacred offering presented with a Tamagushi branch as well.

On the end of ceremony (after the marriage was registered) the newlyweds exited the shrine to greet the crown again & answer some questions of media representatives. Ayako Moriya (as she became known) stated her happiness that so many people came to celebrate their marriage. She said about the efforts they want to make "to become a couple like my mother and father", concluding that the latter "would have rejoiced at my marriage" if he were alive. The new husband Kei added that he wants to firmly support her and holding hands together "to look forward and build a family full of smiles". The government also extended their congratulations & sincere "wishes for a long & happy life together", expressed by a deputy Secretary on a press conference. The next day (Tuesday, October 30) a (Western-style) wedding banquet at a luxury Tokyo Hotel was attended by the young couple, members of the Imperial family & Moriya family, and about 70 state dignitaries. Ayako wore a pink evening gown, made from Cambodian silk, a gift of Kei's late mother Kimie (an old friend of Ayako's mother) to the Takamado family. Kei wore a black-tie suit. A congratulatory speech was delivered by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, while Crown Prince Naruhito (the bride's second cousin) toasted the Couple towards a joyous family life. Beyond the banquet, no plans for a honeymoon were revealed.

Pre-Wedding ceremonies: 

The first news that Princess Ayako of Takamado became engaged with the Nippon Yusen K.K. shiping company emploee Kei Moriya came to the public on June 26 this year. On Monday July 2, the Princess & her fiance to be (before the official engagement he couldn't be named as such) gave a joint interview to the press, while earlier that day she had received the Emperor's blessings (passed on through the Empress). They were not formally engaged until the Nossai-no-Gi (betrothal) ceremony on August 12 with a messenger of the groom visiting the bride's residence & conveying gifts of proposal. Afterwards a lot of ritual ceremonies took place before the actual wedding. First was the Kokki-no-Gi rite, which was another visit by Moriya' messenger (a 76-year-old groom's relative) to Takamado residence on September 19, and the announcement of proposed wedding date to the bride, which she 'gratefully accepted' (thus making it official). Thence followed a series of visits by Princess Ayako to family shrines & paying respects to predecessors' graves throughout October. The main such visit was the Kashikodokoro-Koreiden-Shinden-ni-Essuru-no-Gi event, held three days before the wedding (on Friday, Oct. 26). Ayako came to the three most important shrines within the Imperial Palace, where the divine spirits of Imperial family's ancestors are believed to be living, and informed them about her intention to marry. She did so performing some religious rituals, wearing a similar to her second wedding dress. Finally she paid an official farewell to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at a formal palace reception later that day, so-called Choken-no-Gi.

Official Engagement Photo - 19/8/2018

Official Engagement Photo - 19/8/2018

Something about the newlyweds:

Princess Ayako was born on 15th September 1990, the youngest of three daughters of Norihito, Prince Takamado (the youngest child of Emperor Akihito's uncle, Prince Mikasa) & commoner Hisako Tottori (Princess Takamado by marriage). She was the first member of the Imperial family to be born during Akihito's Reign as Emperor of Japan (the Heisei era in Japanese calendars). Her father died of heart failure in November 2002, at the age of 47. Ayako was educated in noble schools of Japan (visiting New Zealand in a homestay program), and attended Josai International University (JIU, studying Social works) & Camosun Colledge in Canada, having also spent some time at the University of British Columbia in 2015. Currently she is a research fellow in her faculty at JIU. After returning to Japan in 2015 she carried out some official duties, when her studies allowed her so. 

Princess Ayako was introduced to Kei Moriya in December last year by her mother, Princess Hisako (a friend of his parents). The latter was hoping to interest her daughter in welfare activities, while Moriya also participates in the Japanese version of Children without Borders' organisation (Kokkyo Naki Kodomotachi). Kei went to kindergarten in Paris, attending Swiss & British schools, before graduating from the Kleio University. According to some reports he enjoys running in marathons & competing in triathlons. Ayako said to have been attracted by Kei from the first meeting, enjoying time together. Another they have in common is the experience of losing a parent early (Kei's mother died in 2015), which kept them emotionally closed to each other. After some months of companionship he proposed her, with the Princess finally saying 'I do' in April.

Bride's title, patronages & payment-by-the-state:

In accordance with the rules of Imperial Household Agency (that restricts commoners entering the Imperial family), Princess Ayako had to renounce all her titles and styles related to it, after marrying a non royal. While currently male members of the Imperial House can marry a commoner with their wives elevating to the highest positions (both current Empress Michiko & Crown Princess Masako don't descend from aristocracy), female members who choose to do so must leave. However, this time it was decided that Ayako would retain honorary positions of two of the charities she supports, something that never happened before in such cases. The 'Japan-Canada Society' and 'Japan Sea Cadet Federation' - which the former Princess is a patron of - are no limited to royal patronages, and according to an official this decision was made without the intervention of Imperial Household. Although it is supposed that this step was pre-planned, due to the shrinking number of Imperial family members over the last years, so to make it easier to other members get over with a large number of official duties. It was also decided (through a meeting of the Imperial House Economy Council) that Ayako Moriya will receive ¥106,75 (~ $951.6 thousand) from Japanese government (through taxpayers), the highest sume possible by law, so to maintain her high standards of living.

Succession question within the Imperial family:

The departure of Princess Ayako of Takamado from the Imperial House - and the upcoming one of Emperor Akihito's elder granddaughter, Princess Mako of Akishino, expected to be married in 2020 - will leave it 17 members, with 5 of them (including Akihito) older than 70 and retired, or less active over the years. Additionally, only five members are male, with line of succession to the throne (which bans females to ascend the throne), limited to just four heirs. With the upcoming abdication of Emperor Akihito next year (allowed by a special law passed last year amid a conservative legislation), and the accession of Crown Prince Naruhito as the next Emperor (a transition last seen in Japan more than 200 years ago) put on the table once again the question whether to make a constitutional change, allowing female members to succeed the throne, or at least establish their own branches within the Imperial family, and retaining their titles even after marriage. Similar issues were raised in the early 2000s, when the absence of a young male successor endangered the existence of the thousands years' old Japanese monarchy (the oldest and longest-lasting in world's history), until the birth in 2006 of Prince Hisahito of Akishino (Akihito's only grandson), the first male child born into the Imperial family in 41 years. But nonetheless, no matter the change and progress time will bring around the world, Japanese society - a very adoptive, but faithful to its history and ideals - will remain familiar to the most conservative of its traditions as long as possible (putting many more ultimatums like "palace" or "love" to its future members), until those changes will be gradually accepted by the society, or until a vital question will challenge the existence of these traditions (& institutions), so a quick, last-moment decision will need to be taken for the traditions' survival.

Videos of the Imperial Wedding (third in Japanese):

& more additional Links of information:

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/29/asia/princess-ayako-wedding-ceremony-intl/index.html

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-royals/japanese-princess-ayako-gives-up-royal-status-to-marry-commoner-idUSKCN1N310V

https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/japan-princess-ayako-wedding-intl/index.html

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/10/31/national/imperial-family-members-abe-among-attend-wedding-banquet-former-princess/#.XCT4XlwzZPb

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Shrine

http://royalcentral.co.uk/international/princess-ayako-of-takamado-to-marry-businessman-105146

http://royalcentral.co.uk/international/princess-ayako-formally-engaged-to-commoner-kei-moriya-in-betrothal-ceremony-107309

http://royalcentral.co.uk/international/princess-ayako-to-receive-%C2%A5107-million-after-she-marries-commoner-110587

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201810260041.html

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/10/26/national/japans-princess-ayako-retain-honorary-positions-two-organizations-marriage/#.XCSqflwzZPb

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayako_Moriya

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_Household_Law

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_Household_Agency

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_House_of_Japan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Japanese_imperial_transition

Saudi Arabia's RED PRINCE: TALAL BIN ABDULAZIZ AL SAUD (1931 - 2018).

Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz, a senior member of the Saudi Royal family and father of controversial billionaire bysinessman Prince Al-Whaleed bin Talal, died on Saturday in Riyadh. He was 87, and has been reportedly ill for several years. An elder half-brother of current Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, he was one of the oldest surviving sons of the oil-rich kingdom's founder and first monarch, Ibn Saud. The late Prince has hold some major posts in KSA policy, but was more known for his liberal position, and active support for a constitutional monarchy, which caused controvercy with his royal relatives of a despot elite. Let's look back at his life!

Prince Talal was (believed to be) born on 15 August 1931. He was the twentieth of 45 (well known) sons of polygamic King Abdulaziz (the founder of the third Saudi state) and his sixteenth (?) wife, an Armenian woman called Munaiyir. He was named (according to Bedouin tradition) after his elder brother, 'Talal I', who died four years before his birth, at the age of 3. His mother was regarded as a favorite wife of King Abdulaziz, and an intelligent woman, though she was never educated. He had another full brother, Prince Nawwaf (1932-2015), with whom he contended bitterly over their inheritance after their father's death (1953), and a full sister, Princess Madawi. His mother remained influential throughout her later life, and died in 1991.

Talal was acquired with a lot of priviledge from early on. As a son in-favor of the King, in a country where all powerful positions were occupied by the royal family (and chosen by the monarch), he was appointed the first Minister of Communications (1952) by his father, becoming one of the wealthiest Princes of his generation (though his bureau suffered from corruption issues). He contended over the newly established ministry of air-force with his half-brother, Prince Mishaal, leading the kingdom to have separate fleets until he resigned (1955). After he resigned from the ministry of communications, it was merged with the ministry of finance, due to the preference of his brother (then) King Saud, not to appoint a controversial successor. Hovewer in 1960, Saud appointed Talal as minister of Finance and National Economy, a post he held until his removal in 1962.

Free Princes' Movement

In the late 1950s tensions between the then Saudi King Saud and Crown Prince Faisal, brought some influential sons of Ibn Saud to create a political movement. It was led by Prince Talal, purposed to pass liberal reforms within the Kingdom's corrupt leadership, called for a constitution, and was supported by the kingdom's middle class and Egyptian President' Gamal Abdel Nasser's movement of pan-Arab nationalism. The group drafted its own constitution, electing their own advisory comittee, and removing the King's authority from influencing their decisions. They were strongly opposed by the most members of Al Saud dynasty and initially by King Saud (who had called them "crypto-communists"), though later he was forced to cooperate with them amid the growing popularity of Crown Prince Faisal (through his influential reforms), not in Saud's favor. Talal's involvement to this organisation and support of Nasser (who overthrew Egyptian monarchy) led him to be nicknamed "The Red Prince".

Thus in 1960 Talal and other members of this movement received the King's support and high positions in his court. Their influence grew up in the kingdom, while some of them backed the Crown Prince's reforms. This, and the denial to give up his absolute powers, led King Saud to reconcile with Faisal in late 1961, under the precondition to remove the entire movement from the King's Cabinet. Talal was forced to resign from his ministerial position (being succeeded by his brother Nawwaf). He was exiled in Beirut, Lebanon (and later in Cairo, Egypt) with his passport being revoked, properties in KSA confiscated and some supporters arrested. From Cairo, Prince Talal and his fellow brothers formed the "Arab National Liberation Front", also known as the Free Princes Movement, promoting their ideas through local media and openly criticizing Saudi regime. Circumstances in the Arab world (in 1962) brought them also the support of Yemeni revolutionaries, calling to abolish Saudi monarchy. But the next year Free Princes' relationships with Nasser's regime frozed, Talal changed his views and backed Crown Prince Faisal's reforms again, and therefore in 1964 the movement was dissolved, with the exiled Princes being allowed to return in Saudi Arabia, and the subsequent accession of Faisal to the throne as King, following the deposition of Saud bin Abdulaziz.

CHARITABLE WORK

In 1980s Talal bin Abdulaziz became actively involved in humanitarian causes, patronizing various charities around the world. He was the chairman of the Arab Gulf Program for United Nations Development Organisations (AGFUND), an international humanitarian agency, and President of the Arab Council for Childhood and Development, the Arab Network for Non-Governmental Organizations and the Arab Women Centre for Training and Research. He had also been a co-founder or prominent member of NGO's like the Mentor Foundation, Independent Commission for International Humanitarian Issues, and Pasteur Institute's League for Development. Talal provided a major monetary support to UNICEF (through the AGFUND), which named him its Special Envoy in 1980, while UNESCO declared him a Special Envoy for Water in 2002. During his cooperation with UNICEF he became known as 'The Children's Prince'. The prince became internationally recognised for his contribution towards women and children of the third world countries.

LATER LIFE

In his later years, Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz continued to express his criticism for KSA's form of government, and the authority of the King and clergy. In 2001 (following the September 11 terrorist attacks) he publicly stated his view to establish an elected assembly announcing in 2007 his desire to establish a political party of his own to bring out the country's liberalization (which never happened). The prince was a member of the Allegiance Council (the body made up of members of royal elite, authorized to determine the royal succession), but resigned from it in November 2011, in protest of the apointment of Nayef bin Abdulaziz (whose candidacy he questioned) as Crown Prince by (then) King Abdullah. In 2012 he called on the Kingdom's National Anti-Corruption Authority (NACA) to play a more definite role in reduction of the kingdom's corruption, regardless the status of the priviledged class. When (current King) Salman bin Abdulaziz was named Crown Prince (in June 2012), Talal stated that the Allegiance Council hasn't consulted on that decision, and so it lost its effective role. He once again called for the establishment of constitutional monarchy. Until the end of his life, Talal continued to support liberal reforms in the Kingdom, including more women's working rights and their permission to drive (subsequently given them earlier this year) and the limit in Riyaddh's expences on military. When his son, Al Whaleed - a bysinessman, investor and thilanthropist, one of the wealthiest people in the world - was arrested in November last year and detained for corruption allegations, along with other senior Saudi royals in a purge, carried out by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman to bring everybody in front of law; prince Talal reacted to this purge, which he described as a 'tyranny' under 'anti-corruption' cover, going on a hunger strike. He stoped eating that November and eventually lost 10 kilograms in a month. Al Whaleed was subsequently released three months later for a finansial settlement of some kind.

Prince Talal had been married four times. He has had totally fifteen children, nine sons and six daughters (with his elder son Faisal known to have predeceased him in 1991). His second wife, Mona Al Solh, is the daughter of Leanon's first post-independence prime minister, Riad Al Solh. They had three children before their marriage collapsed in 1962, including Al Whaleed bin Talal. They later divorsed - in 1968. His last wife Magdah is the daughter of former Human Rights Commission President Turki bin Khaled Al Sudairi. Talal bin Abdul Aziz had also reportedly hired a professor and an instructor from Huston University as private tutors of his daughter Reema (then 18,) in 1976. While another daughter, Sara, claimed political asylum in UK in 2012 amid fears of her safety in Saudi Arabia.

King Salman pays his respects to his senior brother Prince Talal, kissing his hand (last November)

At the end of his life Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz was one of the oldest members of the House of Saud. He passed away on Saturday, 22 December 2018, leaving just eight surviving sons of Ibn Saud. His death was announced by the Saudi Royal Court that day, and was confirmed by his son AbdulAziz bin Talal through his Twitter account. The latter said that the family would receive condolences for 3 days, from Sunday to Tuesday, between sunset and evening prayers each day. The funeral prayers for Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud were performed of Sunday (December 23) afternoon at the Imam Turki Grand Mosque in Riyadh, attended by King Salman and senior members of Al Saud dynasty. He is believed to be buried the same day in an unmarked grave (per Wahhabi tradition), possibly at the Al Oud public cemetery (where his father and other brothers are interred). Following his death was announced Condolences to the King, Crown Prince (and the deceased's family) were extended from fellow Arab leaders, including monarchs of Bahrain, UAE and Kuwait.

 HRH PRINCE TALAL BIN ABDUL AZIZ AL SAUD (15/8/1931 - 22/12/2018) - Senior KSA royal, charitable, liberal, "Red/Children's Prince".

& more additional links of information:
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1424461/saudi-arabia
https://web.archive.org/web/20120318031325/http://www.mentorfoundation.org/people.php?nav=3-26-156&id=29
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talal_bin_Abdulaziz_Al_Saud
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descendants_of_Ibn_Saud#Munaiyir
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Princes_Movement
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Waleed_bin_Talal
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/reformist-saudi-prince-talal-bin-abdul-aziz-dies-87-497703514?fbclid=IwAR2NQ9w0OUrqtfgV5DXDRhyohBvaKXfBBOdYm-37G7x0726KrsrNleHiAAs
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/saudi-prince-talal-bin-abdulaziz-dies-aged-87-181222192423681.html
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1424846
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/region/saudi-arabia/uae-leaders-condole-with-saudi-king-over-death-of-prince-talal-bin-abdulaziz

BREAKING: Prince Stefan of Yugoslavia HAS BEEN CHRISTENED

A royal christening was celebrated yesterday in Serbia, as Prince Stefan, the little son of Prince Philip & Princess Danica was baptised at the Royal Chapel of St. Andrew the First Called, within the Royl Palace in Denije, Belgrade, Serbia. Stefan, the first grandchild of the last Crown Prince of Yugoslavia, Alexander Karađorđević, was born on Saturday, February 25 this year, in Belgrade. His birth was the first one of a male member of the former Royal family in Serbia since 1928, and was announced through the ring of all the 49 bells of St. Sava Temple (the largest orthodox temple in the Balkans), after the consent of Serbia's Patriarch Irinej.

The Christening took place on Saturday, 15 December 2018, and apart from Prince Stefan's parents was also attended by Crown Prince Alexander, his wife Crown Princess Katherine, his former wife (& Stefan's grandmother) Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans and Bragança (Duchess of Segorbe), meternal grandparents Beba and Cile Marinkovic, Prince Philip's twin brother Prince Alexander, Prince Philip's godmother Princess Anne of France (Dowager Duchess of Calabria), Crown Princess Katherine's sister, son, daughter-in-law & grandson, and the President of Serbia's National Assembly (Mrs. Maja Gojkovic) as well. His Holiness Patriarch Irinej officiated the service, while His Grace Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac, who had celebrated the Christening of Princes Philip & Alexander in 1985, joined him as assistant. Notably absent from the guest-list was the elder paternal uncle of Prince Stefan, Hereditary Prince Peter. The nearly 10-months old Prince was dressed in the same Christening gown, worn by his grandfather, (the last) King Peter II, at his christening back in 1923.

Prince Stefan's godparents are: (his paternal uncle) Prince Alexander, and Mrs. Petra Lazarevic & Mr. Dusan Antunovic - close friends of his parents.

After being baptised, Prince Stefan was bestown to bear the First Class Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Karadjordje Star, the Highest Award of the Royal House. In ocassion of the Christening, an exibition, titled "Royal Ceremonies" was opened & seen by the Royal family at the palace. It features important royal ocassions of present & past, including King Peter I (the first King)'s Coronation, weddings and christenings. In it's announcement, the Royal family's official website concluded by thanking the coefficients, who helped the christening (including media studios, royal wineries, bakeries, musicians & choir participants), and released photographs from the event. Though officially Stefan is not counted as third in hypothetical line to the instinct throne of Yugoslavia, he still follows his father, uncle and grandfather as a distant member of the long line of succession to the British throne. His parents were married on October 7 last year, at Belgrade's Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel. Their wedding witnesses ('godparents') were Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden & Philip's elder brother, Hereditary Prince Peter.

Official video from the Christening:

& Additional links of information:
http://www.royalfamily.org/prince-stefan-christened-by-patriarch-irinej-at-royal-chapel-of-st-andrew-first-called/
http://royalcentral.co.uk/europe/serbia/serbias-prince-stefan-christened-in-belgrade-113011
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Philip_of_Yugoslavia

Golden Wedding of Kelantan's former Regnal Couple - December 4, 1968 - 2018

Yesterday (December 4) was a special date for the current Royal family of the Malaysian state of Kelantan. Sultan Ismail Petra, who ruled over the state from 1979 to 2010 and his first wife, Raja Perempuan Tengku Anis Tengku Abdul Hamid, have reached 50 years of marriage. They are the parents of the reigning Sultan Muhammad V, who is currently serving as Malaysia's 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (/Federal King), thus making him the only Malay monarch with both parents alive. Though his son is currently Head of state, local media don't pay much attention to the former Sultan after his deposition, back in 2010.

His Royal Highness Sultan Ismail Petra was born on November 11, 1949 to the late Sultan Yahya Petra & Raja Perempuan Zainah II. His father was Sultan of Kelantan from 1960 to 1979, and served as the 6th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia (1975-79), dying in office. He received a strong foundation of religious education & 'proper training' while young, being appointed the Crown Prince (Tengku Mahkota) of Kelantan on his 18th birthday. On December 4, 1968, he was married to Her Royal Highness Tangku Anis binti Tengku Abdul Hamid, in a Royal wedding stipped into traditions at the palace of Kelantan. Tengku Anis is a distant member of the House of Kelantan, and was born on January 6, 1949. Together they welcomed four children (three sons & a daughter): Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra (b. 1969; current Sultan Muhammad V), Tengku Muhammad Fa'iz Petra (b. 1974; current Crown Prince & Regent of Kelantan), Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra, and Tengku Amalin A'Ishah Putri. Though their daughter's marriage to Prince Abdul Qawi of Brunei, they also have two granddaughters. Their final wedding ceremony was held on March 12, 1969, while Tengku Anis was created the Crown Princess on January 1, that year.

From 21 September 1975 Ismail Petra was the Regent (Pemangku Raja) of Kelantan. After his father's death on March 29, 1979, he was appointed the 28th Sultan of Kelantan, being Crowned in a traditional ceremony, a year after his accession (on March 30, 1980). His experience in government structure and administration helped him to manage development projects (in commercial, industrial & tourism sectors) during his reign that reportedly helped his people (in reducing poverty) and state (in progress initiatives). Furthermore the Sultan and his wife (the Raja Perempuan) have been active in social work, often visiting their subjects in person, and inspecting their living conditions. In 2002, the Sultan was confered the Honorary Doctorate in Political Science by Ramkhamhaeng University of Bangkok (, Thailand). Ismail Petra had also married Cik Puan Elia Suhana Binti Ahmad in December 2007, from whom he filled a divorse application in March 2010, never accepted by her side.

Sultan Ismail Petra suffered a stroke in May 2009, that reportedly left him incapacitated. His elder son (and heir from 1985) was appointed Regent until the time he'll be able again to resume his duties. After more than a year of Sultan's treatments abroad (and reportedly some supporters of a rift with his father), Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra was appointed the next ruler by an Order of the Succession Council and proclaimed as Sultan Muhammad V on 13 September 2010. Hovewer, Ismail Petra never accepted his son's accession, trying to call it off through petitions to the Federal Court of Kelantan, though he never succeeded, as the legislation allows the deposition of a monarch, incapable to fullfil his role for more than a year, while the exact condition of His Royal Highness remains unclear for many years. Tengku Anis, on the other hand, seemed to remain supportive towards her ailing husband in the first stages of his recovery, though having also endorsed her firstborn as Sultan and later as King, and participating in some ceremonies with him (including his departure for capital Kuala Lumpur, to be proclaimed as Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in December 2016). Their Royal Highnesses have retained their regnal titles. As of yet, the throne is set to pass through their three childless sons (making up the current line of succession), but as Sultan Muhammad V (a divorsee) has been married (last month) to Miss Moscow 2015 Oksana Voevodina, and reportedly plans for children with her, the former Regnal Couple will probably get soon new grandchildren, with the line of succession expanding to another generation (if there will be boys), and Tengku Anis suceeded as Raja Perempuan (/'Queen Consort') of Kelantan by her new daughter in law.

Video about the complicated Sultan's condition case, back in 2010:

& more links of information (some in Malay):

http://stampbooks.blogspot.com/2004/02/silver-jubilee-of-reign-of-hrh-sultan.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ismail_Petra_of_Kelantan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_V_of_Kelantan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Kelantan_Royal_Family

https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Ismail_Petra_ibni_Almarhum_Sultan_Yahya_Petra

https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tengku_Anis_binti_Tengku_Abdul_Hamid

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6437703/Former-Miss-Moscow-married-Malaysian-king-travelled-German-clinic-children.html