Tuanku Abdul Halim and Tuanku Hajah Haminah attend royal luncheon
ALOR STAR: Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Tuanku Hajah Haminah attended a royal luncheon at Istana Anak Bukit today in conjunction with Their Majesties' return to Kedah after completing a five-year reign as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong.
An invocation of blessings and peace upon Prophet Muhammad followed by the 'nobat' music reverberated at the palace as soon as the royal couple arrived at Istana Anak Bukit.
Their Majesties were welcomed by the Chairman of the Kedah Council of Regency, Tan Sri Tunku Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, and its members Tan Sri Tunku Abdul Hamid Thani Sultan Badlishah and Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Tuanku Abdul Halim.
Also present were Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and the state executive councillors.
Tuanku Abdul Halim and Tuanku Hajah Haminah presented souvenirs to the minister-in-attendance and others who had accompanied Their Majesties from Kuala Lumpur.
About 200 state dignatories and VIPs attended the luncheon.
Their Majesties had flown in to the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport at 11.45am, accompanied by Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid as the minister-in attendance.
Tuanku Abdul Halim created history for having reigned as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong twice, as the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong from Sept 21, 1970, to Sept 20, 1975, and as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong from Dec 13, 2011, to Dec 12, 2016.
His Majesty is succeeded by the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, who ascends the throne as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong tomorrow. — Bernama