Azzahra's Story

KUALA LUMPUR: The reign of the country's 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong came to a regal end with Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Tuanku Nur Zahirah bidding farewell to thousands of loyal subjects here.

Before exiting Istana Negara at 11am, the King and Queen spent time exchanging wishes with about 500 palace staff who had served them for five years since since April 26, 2007.

Their Majesties then left the palace escorted by seven outriders and 12 sovereign escorts from the Royal Armoured Corps.

Before that, Tuanku Mizan inspected a guard-of-honour mounted by members of the 6th Battalion Royal Ranger Regiment.

The King, who donned the official royal attire of Head of State, and Queen also accorded an audience to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan were also at the palace to see off the royal couple, who were accompanied by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek who was the minister-in-attendance.

The royal couple made their way to Parliament Square where they received a 21-gun salute with Tuanku Mizan inspecting a Royal Guard-of-Honour mounted by the 1st Royal Malay Regiment comprising 103 men and four officers headed by Major Ahmad Muzaimi Mohd Ali.


Present were Najib, Rosmah, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife Datin Seri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Toh Puan Jeanne.

Tuanku Mizan and Tuanku Nur Zahirah later bade farewell to ministers, MPs and foreign dignitaries before leaving for the Kompleks Bunga Raya at the KL International Airport to fly back to Terengganu.

Their Majesties arriving at the Kompleks Bunga Raya in a procession in accordance with the rich traditions of the Malay Sultanate, with a decorated elephant leading the procession.

Their Majesties' arrival at the complex at 12.35pm was preceded by a procession in accordance with the rich traditions of the Malay Sultanate, with a decorated elephant leading the procession comprising 30 drummers and 300 escorts wearing traditional Malaysian costumes.

Kedah Sultan, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, 84, has been proclaimed as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.