Raja Muda Perak And Zara Tie The Knot

KUALA KANGSAR, May 17 (Bernama) -- Raja Muda Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah and Zara Salim Davidson were married in a simple ceremony yet steeped in Perak royal custom, at Istana Iskandariah in Bukit Chandan here this morning.
The marriage was solemnised by Perak Mufti Datuk Seri Harussani Zakaria and witnessed by Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah, Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Bainun, other members of the Perak royal family and Zara's family at the Balai Istiadat (Ceremonial Room) of the palace.
At 11am, Raja Nazrin, 50, who cut a dashing figure in a white baju Melayu with matching sampin, calmly pronounced the marriage vow once watched by about 300 guests.
His younger brother Datuk Seri Raja Ashman Shah, who is the Raja Kecil Tengah of Perak, and Datuk Seri Mohd Salleh Ismail, the husband of Raja Nazrin's younger sister Datuk Seri Raja Azureen, were the witnesses for the akad nikah (marriage solemnisation).
Zara's father, Salim Davidson had delegated the role of wali (guardian who gives away the bride) to Harussani for the marriage solemnisation with the signing of the letter of representation held at the palace yesterday.
The ceremony was also witnessed by Zara's mother Sharifah Azaliah Tan Sri Syed Omar Shahabudin and brother Jeffri.
Zara is the great-granddaughtrer of the 24th Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, and granddaughter of Tunku Aminah and Syed Omar, Kedah's third Menteri Besar.
After the marriage solemnisation, Harussani read the doa (thanksgiving prayer) followed by reciting of the Salawat Nabi (praises to the Prophet) by the Haqqani Maulud Emsemble.
Raja Azlan Shah and Tuanku Bainun then left the Balai Istiadat while Raja Nazrin went over to the next room where Zara, 34, was waiting for the bridegroom to slip the wedding ring over her finger.
Zara looked lovely and resplesdent in a contemporary long kebaya of French lace liberally sprinkled with sparkling crystals and beads, teamed with matching chiffon sarong in ivory hue, and a three-metre veil of French netting adorned with crystals.
The exquisite bridal ensemble is the creation of well-known local fashion designer, Kuala Kangsar-born Radzuan Radziwill.
After being slipped a diamond ring by the bridegroom, Zara slipped a silver ring over Raja Nazrin's finger. She then kissed his hand and he kissed her forehead.
The marriage solemnisation ceremony began with the Orang Kaya Temenggong Paduka Raja Datuk Seri Wan Fathir Wan Hussain paying homage to Sultan Azlan Shah to seek his permission to begin the ceremony.
Then royal court attendants brought in nine trays of gifts from Raja Nazrin for his bride which included the `mas kahwin' (dowry) of 250 grammes of gold wafers and a diamond ring.
The bride's delegation, led by Datuk Tunku Hamdy Tunku Ahmad Tajuddin, handed over 11 trays bearing gifts, including a silver ring, to Raja Ashman for Raja Nazrin.
The exchange of gifts was preceded by the presentation of a silver `tepak sirih' with gold trimmings bearing a five-tiered arrangement of betel leaves and cream roses and white hydrangeas.