Jordan’s Princess Raiyah marries Roald Dahl’s grandson in the UK

The couple got married in an intimate ceremony in the UK. (Twitter)
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Updated 09 July 2020
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Jordan’s Princess Raiyah marries Roald Dahl’s grandson in the UK

  • Her husband converted to Islam ahead of the wedding and changed his name to Faris
  • The couple were initially set to wed in Jordan in April

DUBAI: Congratulations are in order for Jordan’s Princess Raiyah bint Al-Hussein, who got married to the grandson of beloved children’s author Roald Dahl, Ned Donovan. 

The couple were set to marry in Jordan in April, however, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the newly-weds tied the knot in an  intimate ceremony in the UK, surrounded by close friends and family.

The bride, 34, posted pictures from the ceremony on her Twitter account, and thanked well-wishers for their thoughtful messages. “Thank you all for your kind messages on our wedding! While it was originally planned for April in Jordan, the pandemic derailed those plans and it was safer for my husband’s family to hold it in the UK.God willing, we look forward to celebrating in Jordan once the situation allows,” she wrote.

Princess Raiyah is the daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan and Queen Noor of Jordan, who was in attendance. 

She is the half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan. 

The couple got engaged on October 26, 2019. A royal statement at the time announced: “The Royal Hashemite Court extends its sincere congratulations to Her Royal Highness Princess Raiyah and to Mr Donovan on this occasion.”

26-year-old Donovan, who is a freelance journalist, converted to Islam ahead of the wedding and changed his name to Faris. He recently revealed on his website that he is currently learning Arabic, although his “Arabic is not very good” and he will “keep trying to improve it.” 


Members-only sales platform OnTheList expands to Saudi Arabia

Updated 18 January 2026
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Members-only sales platform OnTheList expands to Saudi Arabia

  • Starting Jan. 19, members across Saudi Arabia will have exclusive access to a curated schedule of limited-time sales featuring an exciting array of luxury brands

DUBAI: Building on the strong momentum in the UAE, OnTheList announced the launch of its members-only sales platform in Saudi Arabia.

Starting Jan. 19, members across Saudi Arabia will have exclusive access to a curated schedule of limited-time sales featuring an exciting array of luxury brands, including Gucci Jewellery, Aigner, Lanvin and Serapian Milano, all carefully selected to embody sophistication, quality and exceptional value.

“This expansion reflects our belief in the region’s vibrant luxury market and the appetite for a fresh, sustainable approach to premium shopping. Our members in the Kingdom will soon experience the same fast-moving flash sales that have made OnTheList a favorite across Asia and the UAE,” said Delphine Lefay, co-founder of OnTheList.

Originally founded in Hong Kong in 2016, OnTheList is Asia’s first members-only flash sales concept. Since opening in the UAE in 2024, it has brought over 50 of its frequent flash sales, both online and in in-person events.

With its signature blend of in-demand inventory and streamlined e-commerce access, OnTheList is positioned to elevate the way Saudi consumers engage with luxury and lifestyle offerings.