JOHOR BARU: Johor princess, Tunku Tun Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Ibrahim has revealed that her nuptials with Dutchman, Dennis Muhammad Abdullah, will be steep in the royal Johorean tradition and custom.
The Johor princess and only daughter to the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, broke her silence on her wedding preparations in an interview with the Royal Press Office (RPO) at Istana Bukit Serene today.
Tunku Tun Aminah had said that her father had wanted her wedding to be a resplendent affair that showcases the uniqueness of the Johor royal family’s traditions and heritage.
“Tuanku Sultan showed me a picture of his father (the late Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail) and mother (Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Abdullah) at their wedding. He said that Dennis and I should emulate what they wore as a way of perpetuating Johor’s royal culture and traditions. Otherwise, he fears that our uniqueness as Johoreans will be lost forever,” she said in a statement released by the RPO.
The 31-year-old princess said, as a sign of respect to her father’s wishes, the couple will be dressed in the iconic Johor traditional ceremonial garments, the Baju Kurung Teluk Belanga and Baju Melayu Teluk Belanga, on their wedding day.
“My father would also like Dennis to use the same two brooches on his songkok, which my late grandfather (Sultan Iskandar) wore at his wedding. These brooches were given to Almarhum Sultan Iskandar by his mother, Almarhumah Sultanah Aminah,” she said.
Tunku Aminah said that apart from following royal customs and traditions, the wedding itself would be a relatively simple and elegant event with family and friends.
“I would like it to be a meaningful occasion for my family and friends...that is what matters the most to me. It does not have to be grand or lavish,” she said.
Tunku Tun Aminah, who was born on April 8, 1986, is the second of six siblings, while her husband-to-be, was born Dennis Verbaas on May 1, 1989, in Lisse, a town near Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
The announcement of the princess’ wedding grabbed headlines in the mainstream media as well as social media platforms when the announcement was made.
Her betrothal ceremony will be held at 10am on Aug 14 at Istana Bukit Serene followed by the solemnisation ceremony.
The bersanding ceremony will be held at 8pm n the same day at the throne room of the Istana Besar here.