His Majesty King Abdullah, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, attended a ceremony at the Cultural Palace on Saturday marking Jordan’s 73rd Independence Day.

Upon arrival at the venue, King Abdullah was received with a military reception that included a 21-gun salute, and then inspected the honour guard.

At the ceremony, attended by a number of royal family members, Prime Minister Omar Razzaz, Senate President Faisal Fayez, Speaker of the House of Representatives Atef Tarawneh, and Judicial Council President Mohammad Ghazou delivered speeches that highlighted Jordan’s achievements since its independence.

Congratulating all Jordanians on the occasion, they commended the nation’s achievements, under His Majesty’s leadership, in various fields, which are a source of pride for Jordanian men and women.

During the ceremony, His Majesty bestowed medals on a number of leading national institutions and a group of distinguished Jordanian men and women, in appreciation for their contributions to Jordan’s prosperity and progress.

A video highlighting the achievements of the honourees was screened at the ceremony, while another video showed Jordan’s achievements in a number of sectors over the past 20 years of King Abdullah’s reign.

Senior officials and army officers, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, diplomats, and representatives of civil society institutions, political parties, and professional associations attended the ceremony.

Their Majesties and Crown Prince Al Hussein also greeted the attendees at the conclusion of the ceremony.