Swedish State Visit to Brunei: February 7-9, 2004

[Sean.~]

Are there any yet? I haven't been able to find anything.

Sean

 

[Titania]

Pomp and Ceremony Meet Swedish King In Brunei On State Visit

Bandar Seri Begawan – The King Carl Gustaf of Sweden is here. He, with Queen Silvia, arrived Brunei yesterday afternoon following a State Visit to Vietnam.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha later received a courtesy call from His Majesty Carl the 16th Gustaf, King of Sweden and his wife who are here on a three-day State Visit yesterday.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al Muthaddee Billah, the Crown Prince, and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna welcomed the Royal Sweedish visitors at the Brunei International Airport. The distinguished visitors then proceeded to Istana Nurul Iman for the official welcoming ceremony.

Thousands of school children lined up along the road near Istana Nurul Iman to welcome the royal Swedish visitors.

His Majesty Sultan and Her Majesty Raja Isteri welcomed the arrival of His Majesty King Carl the 16th Gustaf and Her Majesty Queen Silvia at Istana Nurul Iman.

Shortly after arrival, the distinguished visitors proceeded to the special dais to receive the royal salute.

The national anthems of both countries were played and a 21-gun salute followed.

Both the Brunei and Swedish monarchs later inspected the Guard of Honour mounted by the Royal Brunei Armed Force.

His Majesty King Carl and Queen Silvia were introduced to members of Brunei’s royal family.

The King and Queen of Sweden were then introduced to Pengiran

Pengiran Cheteria, Cabinet ministers, members of the Privy Council, Deputy Ministers, Diplomats of friendly nations and Permanent Secretaries.

Following this His Majesty Sultan of Brunei and Her Majesty the Raja Isteri were introduced to members of the Swedish entourage.

The Sultan, His Majesty Carl the 16th Gustaf, Her Majesty the Raja Isteri and Her

Majesty Queen Silvia then moved to the Balai Penghadapan for an audience ceremony.

Present at the ceremony were the Crown Prince Haji Al Muhtadee Billah, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bolkiah and Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah.

Others included His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik, His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal

Umi Kalthum Al-Islam.

At a ceremony, His Majesty of Brunei bestowed the State Decoration, the Darjah

Kerabat Mahkota Brunei (DKMB) or the Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei to His Majesty King Carl the 16th Gustaf.

The Swedish Monarch then bestowed the Royal Order of the Seraphim to His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei.

His Majesty the Sultan also bestowed the State Decoration, the Darjah Kerabat Laila Utara Yang Amat Dihormati (DK) or the Most Esteemed Family Order Laila Utama to Her Majesty Queen Silvia.

The King of Sweden then bestowed the Royal Order of the Polar Star to Her Majesty Raja Isteri.

This was the first state visit of His Majesty King Carl the 16th Gustaf and Her Majesty Queen Silvia to Brunei.

His Majesty was on a private visit to the country in January last year.

Brunei and Sweden established relations in 1984. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

 

[Titania]

Swedish Monarch Visit Bolsters Brunei-Sweden Ties

Full article



Swedish King, Queen Tour Brunei’s Landmarks

Bandar Seri Begawan – His Majesty Carl the 16th Gustaf, King of Sweden and Her Majesty Queen Silvia began their separate itinerary of their state visit two hours after their arrival in Brunei.

His Majesty King of Sweden consented to visit the Brunei Darussalam Scout Association Headquarters in the capital.

Upon arrival, His Majesty was welcomed by Pehin Dato Haji Awang Mohd Ali, President of the Brunei Scout Association.

During the visit, His Majesty consented to view various exhibitions outlining the history and activities of the Brunei Darussalam Scout Association.

The President of the Scout Association in his welcoming speech expressed his profound appreciation to His Majesty Carl the 16th Gustaf for consenting to visit the Scout Association Headquarters.

The President of the Scout Association then presented His Majesty Carl the King of Sweden with The Award of Bar to Medal of Merit.

The Swedish Monarch was presented with a souvenir by Pehin Dato Dr Haji Awang Hussain, Chief Scout of the Brunei Scouts Association.

His Majesty then consented to mingle and talk freely with the scouts.

Before departure, His Majesty Carl the 16th Gustaf signed the visitor's book and took part in a group photograph with the senior scout officials.

The Brunei Scout Association was established in 1933 with 12 members.

They now have over 2500 members and aim to increase their members to 10,000 by the year 2013.

Meanwhile, Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden had her own separate programme, visiting the Jame 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kampong Kiarong.

Upon arrival Her Majesty was welcomed by Pehin Dato Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd Zain bin Haji Serudin, Minister of Religious Affairs, and wife Datin Dayang Hajah Yukmas binti Mohammad.

Her Royal Princess Hajah Masna accompanied her Majesty Queen Silvia.

Soon after arrival, Her Majesty consented to sign the visitor’s book before given a brief documentary about the mosque.

After the briefing, Her Majesty had a tour around the mosque. Her Majesty first visited the mosque's library.

Besides being a venue for important occasions, the mosque is also a place to disseminate Islamic information.

Viewed as one of the country's landmarks, the mosque is among the country's many attractions especially to foreign tourists. After the briefing, Her Majesty the Queen was presented with a souvenir.

Then Her Majesty the Queen had a closer look at the female prayer hall located at the upper courtyard of the mosque. The hall has its own separate access from hidden staircase and a separate ablution area.

Later, Her Majesty visited the male prayer hall.

The hall can accommodate 3,500 worshippers and has an area of 30,000 square feet.

The Jame 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah was officially used for the first time on July 15, 1994 in conjunction with His Majesty's 48th birthday celebration.

The construction of the mosque was started in 1988 and completed in 1992. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

 

[Dennism]

Thanks for posting, Titania. It sounds interesting. I can't wait for more photos.

 

[Dennism]

Är uppståndelsen kring kungens uttalande om Brunei överdriven?

Ja 79,8% (4073 )
Nej 20,2% (1029 )

Totalt har 5102 personer röstat.

 

[Humera]

well since none of the links in this thread seem to be working, I thought I'd post all the pics I have.

Airport

 

[Humera]

The King and Queen greeted by the Sultan and his wife Queen Saleha

 

[Humera]

The King and Queen greeted by the Sultan's kids, CP Billah, Prince Abdul Malik, Prince Abdul Mateen,and Princess Rashidah.

 

[Humera]

More from Nurul Iman Palace

 

[Humera]

Reception-Arrival

 

[Humera]

More pictures....

 

[Safaa Batin]

Queen Silvia is very beautiful in these photos, i like her hair in this photo
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=61910

 

[Humera]

So do I Safaa Batin. I've noticed that the women of the Swedish royal family often wear beautiful hairstyles, esp. up-dos
I wish Queen Silvia hadn't worn the scarf on top of her gown though. Its nice for her to want to respect Brueneian culture, but there was no need for it. Her gown had full sleeves and from what I can tell, a modest neckline.
Still, she looks very nice.

 

[Humera]

Enough for now...I'll post the rest later

 

[Yennie]

wow, thats a lot of pics! Thanks for posting them Humera!

 

[Humera]

You're welcome!

The rest of the pics from the reception

 

[Humera]

And a couple more

 

[Humera]

Queen Silvia visiting a mosque

 

[Humera]

Pictures from the second day

 

[Reina]

I just luv the colors that the Bruneian royals wear. But I would have worn the veil. It is great to participate in anothers culture.

 

[Humera]

well I have seen Queen Silvia wear a scarf in a mosque before. It was when Queen Rania and Abdullah were on a state visit of Sweden and Rania and Silvia visited a Swedish mosque.

 

[HMQueenElizabethII]

The King and The Queen looked very nice.

 

[Minnie]

In the pictures with Prince Muhtadee trailing in the background, is he wearing the same outfit (military style) he wore during his wedding banquet/ bersanding ceremony? Looks the same to me really

 

[Humera]

In the pictures with Prince Muhtadee trailing in the background, is he wearing the same outfit (military style) he wore during his wedding banquet/ bersanding ceremony? Looks the same to me really

yes it is the same uniform.

 

[Bubbette]

I just luv the colors that the Bruneian royals wear. But I would have worn the veil. It is great to participate in anothers culture.

Not if you think that part of the culture is degrading or something similar.

 

[GrandDuchess]

Great pictures! Thanks for posting them Humera!

 

[Humera]

Not if you think that part of the culture is degrading or something similar.

covering one's head when going into a place of worship isn't degrading. Muslims aren't the only ones who do it or require it. Orthodox Christians, for example, wear veils in a church. So do Sikhs and many Hindus. Queen Noor covers her head everytime she's in a church as a sign of respect. I doubt Queen Silvia thought that the veil is degrading just because you do. She's done it before. She had a scarf in her hand or around her neck most of the time.

 

[Humera]

more pics from the visit

 

[Humera]

Last day of visit

 

[Humera]

and finally..