HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam received His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, at the Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.
His Majesty King Hamad is in Brunei on a two-day State Visit.
Upon arrival at the Istana Nurul Iman, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and His Majesty King Hamad proceeded to the royal dais to receive the royal salute, which was followed by the national anthems of both countries and a 21-gun salute.
The two leaders then inspected the royal guard of honour mounted by the Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
His Majesty King Hamad was then introduced to members of the royal family; state dignitaries; Speaker of the Legislative Council; Cabinet Ministers; deputy ministers; Commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force; Commander of the RBAF; foreign envoys in Brunei Darussalam; members of the Legislative Council as well as permanent secretaries at the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was then introduced to His Majesty King Hamad’s delegation which included members of the royal family of Bahrain, Cabinet Ministers and senior officials of ministerial rank.
Shortly after, an audience ceremony was held at Cheradi Laila Kenchana.
Also present in the ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as other members of the royal family.
Also attending the audience ceremony were members of the royal family of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Cabinet Ministers and senior officials of ministerial rank.
During the ceremony, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam conferred Brunei Darussalam’s highest state decoration, the Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei (DKMB), on His Majesty King Hamad.
The Doa Selamat was read by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.
After the audience ceremony, His Majesty King Hamad departed for The Empire Hotel & Country Club, accompanied by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince as the Royal-in-Attendance.
Earlier in the day, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam welcomed His Majesty King Hamad at the Brunei International Airport.
His Majesty King Hamad and delegation landed at the airport in the afternoon on a special aircraft. Upon disembarking, the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain was greeted by His Majesty Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
Also present were Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs, as the Minister-in-Attendance; Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance II; Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office; and Dato Paduka Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Dato Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and His Majesty King Hamad then walked past the static guard mounted by the RBAF.
After this, both then departed the Brunei International Airport for the official welcoming ceremony and royal guard of honour at the Istana Nurul Iman.
