Model Kendra Spears and Prince Rahim Aga Khan marry in intimate ceremony


September 1, 2013

American model Kendra Spears has married Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the eldest son of His Highness Aga Khan IV, in a private ceremony in Switzerland.

The brunette beauty, who goes by the Twitter description, "a model, among other things," has now taken on a new title, that of Princess Salwa.

The 25-year-old model looked stunning on her wedding day and wore a traditional ivory and gold dress lined with gold embroidery. She wore her hair swept back in a classic bun that showed off her thick diamond earrings and matching tiered necklace.

© Photo: Getty Images

The nuptials started with the recitation of a traditional "qasida" in the Farsi language, a poem that speaks in praise of someone. This was then followed by the "nikah", the marriage ceremony that was overseen by His Eminence Sayyed Muhammad Musawi, a prominent Shia faith leader.

Prince Rahim and Kendra were then presented with an 18th century piece of Islamic art to mark their special day.

The married couple joyfully posed together for photographs in the leafy grounds of the palace, and were later joined by their extended family for formal pictures.

The lovebirds were surrounded by their family and close friends for the celebration on Saturday and, following in the royal family's custom, had a traditional Muslim ceremony.

Prince Rahim and Kendra wed in a picturesque service in the grounds of the Château de Bellerive, overlooking the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

The Seattle-born beauty is not the only model to marry into the royal family. Her father-in-law married British model Sarah "Sally" Croker-Poole, and his grandfather was married to iconic actress Rita Hayworth.

© Photo: Getty Images

Prince Rahim's father announced the couple's engagement in April of this year, but had not confirmed a wedding date. At the time Kendra took to Twitter to thank her fans for their message of congratulations, writing, "Thank you all for the kind tweets! We're very excited!"Kendra, who has been compared to Cindy Crawford for the mole on her upper lip, has modelled for respected fashion houses such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana.

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