With an opulence not seen since Morocco’s king, Muhammed VI, wed Lalla Salma in 2002, the monarch’s only brother, 44-year-old Prince Rachid, and his beautiful second cousin, Oum Keltoum Boufares, 27, exchanged vows in a three-day nuptial extravaganza at the Royal Palace.
The celebrations brought representatives from every corner of the country to the capital, where colourful troupes of musicians and performers paraded in front of the groom, the monarch and his heir, 11-year-old Moulay Hassan, while gifts of incense, sandalwood and acacia were proffered along with wishes for abundance and happiness in the marriage.
Traditional rituals included the henna ceremony, when family members joined business graduate Oum’s closest girlfriends to shower her with their blessings as symbols of joy were traced onto her palms.
According to custom, Oum dressed…
