Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha last night departed for Washington DC, US, for an official visit.

Accompanying Their Majesties were HRH Prince Abdul Malik, HRH Prince 'Abdul Wakeel and HRH Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah. Before departing from Istana Nurul Iman, a Doa Selamat was read by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

Present at the His Majesty the Sultan's Flight Hangar in Rimba to bid farewell to Their Majesties were HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, HRH Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, HRH Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah, HRH Princess Hajah .Masna, the Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, HRH Princess Hajah Nor'ain, HRH Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam, HRH Princess Hajah Amal Nasibah, HRH Princess Hajah Amal Jefriah and the granddaughter of His Majesty, YAM Pengiran Anak Raheemah Sanaul Bolkiah, as well as other members of the royal family.

Also present at the hangar were YAM Pengiran Cheterias, Speaker of the State Legislative Council, Cabinet Ministers, members of Councils, Deputy Ministers, the Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces, the Commissioner of Police, with their respective spouses, as well as Melinda Pavek, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of United States of America to Brunei Darussalam.