linen sheets as a gift to the prince, dialogue with Jill Biden and Trump’s son-in-law – Corriere.it

Former premier Matteo Renzi and his wife Agnese were the only Italians
guests at the royal wedding in Jordan for the yes of Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, 28, and Rajwa Alseif,
a year older than him, architect of Riyadh after studying in the USA.

An eagerly awaited invitation, also because, during his three years at Palazzo Chigi, Renzi had established good relations with King Abdullah, while his wife Agnese had met Rania several times, beloved consort of the sovereign in Jordan, and beyond. For the great celebration, the people were granted a two-day vacation, complete with a maxi concert at the capital’s stadium, where numerous Arab pop stars sang.

At the lavish wedding, over 140 crowned heads who came to Amman from around the world,
the Renzi spouses were also present, who presented themselves with clothes rigorously made in Florence. Stefano Ricci’s white tie for the former prime minister and a pink dress for his wife Agnese, dressed as always by Ermanno Scervino. And it was the latter who had the task of choosing the wedding gift for the heirs to the throne: precious linen sheets, with the initials of the bride and groom embroidered by hand, made by Dea, an artisan company from Pistoia.

Before the big party began, Renzi and his wife visited Petra, also taking a photo in front of the facade of the Treasury, then published on social media: «In Jordan for the royal wedding. Escape for a few hours with Agnese, immersed in the beauty of Petra». Then the return to Amman, where the bride traveled the wedding procession aboard a Rolls Royce Phantom V, custom built in 1968 for the prince’s great-grandmother. The yes was celebrated among the flowers in the garden of the Zahran palace built in 1957 for Queen Zein Al Sharaf, mother of the groom’s grandfather. Here King Hussein and also King Abdullah had sworn love. Two thousand guests were present at the first grand reception. Then more “restricted” events were organized within 48 hours, with impressive security measures.

Among the most famous guests: the princes of Wales William and Kate. But also the American first lady Jill Biden, Ivanka Trump with her husband Jared Kushner, former US Secretary of State John Kerry and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, as well as former British Prime Minister David Cameron with his wife Samantha. Also present was William Burns, the current head of the CIA, who had served in Amman as US ambassador between 1998 and 2001.

A parterre with which, in part, the former Italian prime minister can boast excellent relations. With Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and director of the Abraham Accords, the declaration of peace between Bahrain and Israel, Renzi has established a discreet bond during discussions at the Future Investment Initiative Institute (FII), a foundation financed by Saudi Arabia’s main sovereign wealth fund. The senator from Florence also spoke with Jill Biden, wife of the US president, with which Renzi had made an agreement at the time of Palazzo Chigi, when Joe Biden was Barack Obama’s deputy.

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