Jordan's Queen Rania normally dazzles onlookers with her elegant fashion choices, but she and her husband King Abdullah were happy to fade into the background when they brought their little boy Hussein on a spiritual pilgrimage this week.
The glamorous mum-of-four, who Giorgio Armani once hailed as the "most alluring woman in the world", donned traditional Muslim robes and a headscarf for a visit to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. King Abdullah and little Hussein, who likewise abandoned the trappings of royal life by dressing in simple white robes, were just two more faces among the crowds of faithful making the Umrah pilgrimage.
The Umrah is sometimes known as the "lesser pilgrimage" because it is not compulsory like Hajj. It can be performed at any time of the year and involves a series of rituals and ceremonies which symbolise the life of the prophet Mohammed and solidarity with Muslims all over the world.
In keeping with their spiritual beliefs, Abdullah and Rania travelled back to their homeland the following day to put their energies into helping the poor. The royal couple joined in the efforts to distribute thousands of coats to needy children before the cold winter months arrive.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
