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Saudi prince weds in Oxford register office

the happy couple after their ceremony the happy couple after their ceremony

IT could have been a wedding to remember.

A member of the Saudi Royal family marrying an English rose, the niece of the Duke of Northumberland.

Together their families are worth multi-millions, but bizarrely, as reported yesterday, they tied the knot at Oxford Register Office, in Tidmarsh Lane, at a cost of £167.

Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan al-Saud, a member of the super-rich Saudi Royal Family, wed Lucy Cuthbert at a ceremony attended by a handful of guests.

Lucy, who shone in a thigh-length white dress with a cream jacket, is the niece of the Duke of Northumberland, whose fortune is estimated at £300m.

Her Middle-Eastern husband went for a classy European look, wearing a grey, three-piece suit with pale shirt and striped tie.

The couple arrived in a gleaming, chauffeur-driven Land Rover Discovery, but saved on the cost of a luxury limousine or romantic horse-drawn carriage, opting instead to leave the ceremony in a bus with their friends.

Lucy’s uncle, Ralph George Algernon Percy, was 229th in the 2010 Sunday Times Rich List. He owns Alnwick Castle, in Northumberland – the setting for Harry Potter’s Hogwarts – and her father Aidan owns Beaufront Castle 40 miles up the road.

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The Prince is destined to inherit a huge fortune. His father has a personal fortune of £290m.

He is used to a more classier mode of transport than the hired £395 coach he travelled in to the wedding reception.

He uses the family Airbus jet painted in the silver and blue colours of the Dallas Cowboys, his favourite American Football team.

He even has landing rights at RAF Brize Norton, close to his 2,000-acre Glympton Park estate, near Woodstock.

The occasion was a deliberately low-key affair, but still had a number of minders and drivers keeping watch for any sign of trouble on the pavements outside, one for an hour before the event.

Lucy and her husband-to-be arrived together, heading straight inside for the half-hour ceremony in the Dexter Room at the register office in Oxford.

The number of guests for the room is limited to 25 on weekdays.

As they emerged into the sunlight the couple beamed with joy as family and friends threw confetti over them.

Then they were straight into the “executive” coach, with personalised number plates and headed west out of the city, with the Land Rover and two Range Rovers swinging into the traffic behind it.

news@oxfordmail.co.uk

Comments(42)

EBTWO says...
6:31pm Tue 29 Mar 11

Well let's hope she doesn't go to Saudi Arabia, or she'll never be allowed to drive, have a life or do anything without her husband's approval!

They do have lots of oil though.....

Assma says...
12:15pm Wed 30 Mar 11

Well ,women in Saudi Arabia is having a great Life !!!


They don't need to drive to live a good life ??

Dose Queen Elizabith drive ? No .. Why ? Because she
Is something very preciouse !!! She have private driver instead ...

ALL Women in Saudi Arabia are Queens ...

They are really feminin .. They don't need to go every day work .. Because
They have Lots of men taking care of them ...

And by the way .. They can do whatever they want without their husband approval ..

They can work , they can travel , they can involve in any thing without any one's approval ..


Women in Saudi is really like Queens .. Every body respect them
And do every thing they ask for .. Even in the streets .. The police .. The government al places ..
U will never see the same respect in any other country then in Saudi ...

Well , u will never even imagine the situation until u go there by ur self ..



Media mistaken the idea aabout them .. And every body misunderstood
The amazizing way of living that every women in the world wish to be
In. ...


Lucy , is so smart to Love a Saudi man .. Who will (really )take care of her in a (manly) way


Not like the other men in this world !!!!!!

She is very Lucky .. I wish I can find another contract to go back and work in Saudi ...




Thank u ..

riman09 says...
12:29pm Wed 30 Mar 11

I guess being royalty she will get away with anything, wherever she goes to live!

EBTWO says...
4:18pm Wed 30 Mar 11

In reply to Assma:

"Dose Queen Elizabith drive"

Yes, she drives a Land Rover around, quite a lot actually. Only for official business does she have a chauffer. If you do your research, you will know the Queen was a trained mechanic in World War 2.

"Well , u will never even imagine the situation until u go there by ur self"

I have been there and all I saw were men walking in front of their wives, and women covered head to foot in Islamic dress.

"Media mistaken the idea aabout them .. And every body misunderstood"

No, I think the media, and all the women that have escaped Saudi Arabia are correct. They have no reason to lie.

"I wish I can find another contract to go back and work in Saudi ."

You don't need a contract. Just get on a plane and go.

Simple2011 says...
5:47pm Wed 30 Mar 11

Sweet Assma,

You must be living in some kind of la la land or something! I am Saudi dear and I can tell you first hand that life there SUCKS for women and if you think otherwise, then your ideas and thoughts of what REAL freedom is really about, are obviously skewed in every way possible!

"Lucy is SO smart to love a Saudi man." Yea, of course, he is a PRINCE and VERY RICK Saudi man! You are right!! Let's see how long this marriage is going to last sweetie and then lets see if you still think Lucy is a lucky broad! LOL Its a marriage of publicity and convenience, that is it!!!

I laughed so hard when I read your comment pumpkin cause it is SO apparent that your mind is completely altered/brain washed when it comes to what respect means, how a REAL gentleman is supposed to treat a woman, and what are REAL rights a woman is supposed to have???

You are clueless!! To each their own, I guess. Maybe your idea of freedom is shopping, lounging, having a maid to clean after you, and attending weddings till dawn and its what you enjoy most out of life! But I am sorry to disappoint you dear, there are many many Saudi women and women in general every where, who value much more and want much more than that when it comes to fulfilling and enriching their lives!!!

ox-cabby says...
11:00pm Wed 30 Mar 11

Women can have whatever rights they want, HOWEVER, is it possible to take away there right to drive?

I don't care what people pay, THEY ARE THE WORST

saudi woman says...
12:07am Thu 31 Mar 11

hi there

i was surprised to read all the different comments regarding women in Saudi Arabia, sure there are little rights that Saudi woman need one of them is driving and personally i would looove to drive but, its not forbidden! our king said that the decision about that matter is in the hands of the people, still we are reserved and close society ,we have traditions and religion to respect and obey.some decisions can not be taken randomly or just because we want to.it has to be gradual and slow, until every one accept it and be ok with it. the situation in saudi arabia is not as bad as you say it is and its not excellent as assma say it is. like any other country we have people who are satisfied with the way things are and happy about it, and others are angry and eager to change everything and some like myself are generally happy but wishing for more like driving. by the way women do drive in Saudi in small towns so i think its going to happen legally very soon.so every body just calm down and do not push your openions on the others . we are very blessed country in sooo many ways and women has gained alot of rights we have doctors nurses teachers and almost every thing.stop shwing us like if we are living in hell, and stop exagerating like we lve in heaven, we are just normal people with defferent interests and dreams.If you want something you can have it wherever you are

BenkiuGuasu says...
1:32am Thu 31 Mar 11

That was by far and away the best post Saudi Woman.

I worry a bit about this comment "You don't need a contract. Just get on a plane and go." from EBTWO.

It sounds like you want him to go. Why? Is it because he wrote a post defending his country after reading a slightly damning message about his country?

And: "Well let's hope she doesn't go to Saudi Arabia, or she'll never be allowed to drive, have a life or do anything without her husband's approval!"

You might have visited Saudi Arabia but I doubt you know either the Prince or Lucy. Judging by the photo and the cheap wedding I'd say they're in love. I doubt Lucy (though I don't know her either) would be marrying a man that doesn't give her rights.

EBTWO says...
9:01am Thu 31 Mar 11

"I worry a bit about this comment "You don't need a contract. Just get on a plane and go." from EBTWO."

Well, I was half joking. But seriously, if you look at the treatment of people - women specifically - in Saudi Arabia, with the awful female circumcision, terrible restrictions on movement etc as already discussed, then you have to conclude that any one who supports this is probably better off being back in Saudi Arabia.

Personally, I do not want proponents of it in my country. If he says he is against it, then I will of course apologise.

On another note, it seems our Government will do business with any nation for whom BP etc can get a contract, and that includes other oppressive regimes.

Dubai_21 says...
11:07am Thu 31 Mar 11

Firstly, the comments posted by Assma are absurd, wrong and stupid.
I'm from Dubai, but doing my masters in the US.
The size of Dubai is like an ant, if placed on the map of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi women might have less rights and all that, but they still have everything they need or even want. Honestly, who cares about driving? Guys, please try to look at it from our perspective..
If you're brought up in an upper class family and you have the helping hands of maids, cooks, nannies, etc. Why would you insist on your wife to drive? I mean, isn't it safer for her to have her personal driver and to be driven anywhere?
It's just that some people are overprotective, and some aren't..
And the people that you see on the news, they don't represent the countries they run away from. Every country has its values, traditions, culture, habits and religion.

The women you see on the news are women who probably wanted to do something their parents did not approve of, or against their cultural habits and tradition, perhaps also against their religion. So you can't judge the rest, or the whole country based on the media.

And about the silly statement "All Saudi women are queens" lool that's stupid.
And people earn other's respect. They work for it. It doesn't come just like that..
Every country and every government has its flaws.. But it doesn't matter, as long as the people are happy and satisfied with their way of living.

saudi woman says...
11:35am Thu 31 Mar 11

Dubai

thank you:)

spoke my mind

ox-cabby says...
11:47am Thu 31 Mar 11

You will never please everyone in the UK. Some are very good and understand the different religions, beliefs or cultures and understand that people have a right to chose. BUT there are some who are up in arms when they hear anything about 'women not being able to drive' or 'why do they have to be covered from head to toe' etc etc. . .

Take a deep breath and think, did women change the way they dress in Afghanistan after all that hoo haa by then PM's wife Mrs blair? NO

Do women in SA care much about driving? NO. . .or do i see another war coming up with SA to defend womens right to drive!

People will justify there comments by saying 'ive been there and the women are getting it tough' a load of BULL. Women get more respect there then they do here, i can assure you.

Only recently we were commenting on the lap dancing club and nearly everyone wanted it to remain open...THERE IS MORE CONCERN THERE THAN WOMEN NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE

Finally remember this, no matter how much people complain about the situation in SA, the fact is, we cannot live without them! We the British are stuck so far up there backside that the british MP would faint if he was told 'sorry PM, the door is now shut'...its all about MONEY AND GREED and people like complain about petty things

saudi woman says...
12:08pm Thu 31 Mar 11

ox- cabby
bless you

i would like to add one thing, personally as a saudi woman i don't like it when somone just assume things and speak about me being unjustified or treated badly, as you can see i can speak for myself . i can ask what i want. being covered from head to toe is like praying its worshipping. how can you ask someone not to pray to his God or not to worship?

Dubai_21 says...
3:18pm Thu 31 Mar 11

What's annoying is that this is not "Prince Bandar Bin Khaled Bin Faisal"
It's Prince Khalid Bin Bandar Bin Sultan.

Get your facts right.

His father was the former Saudi Ambassador to the US. Khalid and his brothers were raised in the US.

I don't know why it's a shock to them, that he has all those lavish things but decided to be humble and have a normal means of tansportation. Who cares? Why do they have to point out how much he has or will inherit, like it's a big deal.

The Delusion of Grandeur says...
9:41pm Thu 31 Mar 11

Ox-Cabby wrote: "BUT there are some who are up in arms when they hear anything about 'women not being able to drive' or 'why do they have to be covered from head to toe' etc etc. . ."


They're normally called Daily Mail readers...

J B Blackett says...
2:29am Fri 1 Apr 11

The farmers claim the chickens they rear are happy , contented and want for nothing and they also say most of the chickens agree with them (allegedly).
.
I just said that because I like chickens. But not to eat.

ox-cabby says...
11:11am Fri 1 Apr 11

J B Blackett, (above me)

Sorry but you've completely lost of me on that one!

Maybe someone can help me out...ANYONE?

BenkiuGuasu says...
2:38pm Fri 1 Apr 11

Chickens are female ox cabby.....

SOE27 says...
4:46pm Fri 1 Apr 11

*APRIL FOOLS*
It was really just a another family from the Cowley Road

On a serious note.

Congratulations on the marriage!

Thomas Thumb says...
9:27am Sat 2 Apr 11

Its easy to focus on the obvious - not being allowed to drive and having to cover up. But Saudi law is also based on Islamic law and a patriacal system which subjugates women by default. Their children will be brought up as Muslims whether she wants it or not. He will be the gardian of the children not her. His decision will always be final. For the children to travel it is his permission that is required not hers. In the case of a divorce the children will not be allowed to leave Saudi. If he dies his male relatives will become the children's guardians not her......How many examples do you need to accept that their are a lack of freedoms and rights for women? Freedom is having the choice.

MLOOOL says...
11:47am Sat 2 Apr 11

Thanks for everyone had his/here won words. I think people are different so their perspectives would be also different according to which background they from. So, it is good to see other people opinions and thought but I am sure for those who are not Muslim and know less about Saudi culture it would be difficult to understand.
Well, as a Muslim Saudi women, I believe that any roles comes from “God” is the best for human life and therefore, the better to be is to follow that roles. As there are many people who mixed up Islamic roles with culture or traditions, we then fond a lot of arguments such as driving or mixed up in work environments or even the way of wearing “Hejab” which is covering their whole body.
I believe that life is changing gradually, and we need to be open to others without losing our values and believes as everyone in this world defense of his/her values. We will never get rid of that to make others happy; it is all about us being satisfied and happy.
As you discussing “The right for women of Saudi to drive”, in my opinion, this will happen soon, as life is changing and society are more open than before.
We are having a normal life as everyone in this world, and there are always things need to be change and that’s a matter of life, Instead of
matter of having no right.

J B Blackett says...
3:12pm Sat 2 Apr 11

Perhaps he did not want to flaunt his reputedly enormous wealth , in case some people might get upset. Very considerate.

saudi woman says...
4:45pm Sat 2 Apr 11

to all people who are non Muslims and anti Islam please do not interfere with us. we don't need your sympathy nor your opinions as long as you are having your rights and living by your religion's rules don't take that right from us. you are not our lawyers and we don't need them .why does everyone in the world claim that they feel sorry for saudi women and that we are not free?? its getting rally annoying cuz we want to please Allah not the government , and not you.

ox-cabby says...
11:43am Sun 3 Apr 11

Thomas thumb:

You make some good points. However, you forget to recognise that we have a similar issue here in Britain.

How many marriage breakups do we have here on a daily basis? We're probably the worst offender in western Europe.

Have you heard of a group called 'fathers for justice?' how many men are fighting for there right to see there children.

The 'English rose' that the prince has married, don't you think she is well aware of the religion and culture of the prince, she knows what she is doing here, she has taken that risk.

Many many families here in Oxford are now mixed. The have mixed children and this trend is on the increase. For good or for worse is another issue. But there must be something going on for white british women marrying there non-white partners?


I know a few white British females who have married non-white British men, i ask them the question WHY, and i always get the same answer 'we get treated with respect' OR 'we know he won't go off with anyone else'

But there's something else happening now and that is, more and more white women are chosing to marry muslim men who are religious. To compare with christianity or Judaism, islam is being chosen here. Dont you think, a religion which is having a bad time and given a bad name is on the increase, i think so

J B Blackett says...
12:08pm Sun 3 Apr 11

Oh I how I wish all these 'religious' people would leave the rest of us alone to live our lives and desist from telling us how awful we non-believers are.
.
The human race will carry on very well one way or another without any 'organized' belief systems of any kind , I think.
.
Stop preaching at us you religious lot - we've have had centuries of threats and forecasts of doom from all faiths - and all it seems to produce is poverty for most, over-population , desperation , despair and death all over the world. You can't even be at peace within the same religions - always fighting and killing each other because of some man made differences.
.
Believe what you want , follow which ever faith you want to , BUT leave the vast and growing band of us non-believers alone to live OUR lives. We had enough.
.
Thank you very much and may your god go with you.

ox-cabby says...
3:46pm Sun 3 Apr 11

J B Blackett:

Who's taken the jam out of your doughnut then?

I AM religious but i am not imposing it on others and i don't think people on here are asking you to be part of any particular religion ARE THEY?

As YOU are protecting your right to freedom of speech, so are the religious people.

Anyway, as my right to freedom of speech, i believe people who don't believe in God or a being that has created us all, are selfish.

And PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't be confused by the many people who think religion is the cause of problems, because IT ISN'T. People in the past and still today commit heinous crimes in the name of religion, but NO religion teaches them to do such evil. . . .these people are just evil people.


Its funny to see what this news report was about and where we've ended up. . . Hilarious.

saudi woman says...
4:04pm Sun 3 Apr 11

Hilarious

thats what it is exactly


:).... i'm out now

may peace be upon all of you

J B Blackett says...
6:49pm Sun 3 Apr 11

So now we non-believers are selfish. Apparently - according to your views of God, the Universe and everything. Why ?
.
But there again you are not preaching , are you ? Is there a freedom to preach at people then as well as a freedom of speech ? Why do you need to preach at people ? And to what end purpose ? So that everybody believes that you and only you are right and all the others ( non-believers and others) are wrong ?.
.
We would be grateful if there was a stop to all this telling us how wonderful religions are and telling us how wrong and evil we are for not believing Then we would not get so upset at any (that is any) of you. Please keep your views on religious matters to yourselves like we non-believers do.
.
It's got nothing to do with freedom of speech , I sincerely hope you understand that fact.
.
Time will prove it all in the end anyway without any preaching at people. And if we non-believers are wrong - well that's life (or death) as they say and we will be tortured and punished or thrown into internal darkness forever as some religions have foretold. Thank you.

ox-cabby says...
7:59pm Sun 3 Apr 11

you make a very good preacher to the non-believers, Keep it up!

I won't waste my time here. We'll agree to disagree
:-)

J B Blackett says...
8:45pm Sun 3 Apr 11

Agreed :- *

Mr Peter Mcvay says...
10:34pm Sun 3 Apr 11

Just a little point, but when she goes to Saudi, she will not be restrained as the normal Saudi woman would be, being part of the Royal family she is exempt from their laws. Just like if you are Homosexual you will be jailed and possibly killed if you are a commoner, but if you are Royalty it is permitted and covered up. As in the case of the GAY SAUDI PRINCE, who murdered his lover in London, the saudis told our courts to cover up the fact he is gay at his trial, we refused, he got life for murder, and a brit was arrested just for being gay and held in Saudi under the threat of death. What a lovely open society they have there, if you are rich and connected.

ox-cabby says...
11:24pm Sun 3 Apr 11

Mr Peter Mcvay:

Your absolutely right.

This is what its all about. I'm not talking about any particular country but the rich DO get away with murder. Its different rules for them no matter where they are.

All royalty in the world, from whatever country do business with other royalty and/or people in power.

You've heard that saying...

Money talks and B******T walks!

Scaramuccia says...
10:56am Mon 4 Apr 11

St Peter ( if he existed) was wrong in saying "...the love of money is the root of all evil". It's not, its only part of the problem and another part is organised religion, which seeks to tribalise and divide and allow 'believers' to think they are somehow better than the non-believers. You only need to see Louis Theroux's documentary on BBC2 last night to realise that Islam has no monoploly on this. There are many christian nutcases about too. IO also wonder how many Saudi WOMEN agree with Saudi WOMAN - we will never know because the freedom of speech and expression she has here is not extended to her female compatriots in their own country.

ox-cabby says...
12:27pm Mon 4 Apr 11

Religion or culture or the colour of our skin is there to recognise each other. . . Its not there to compete against each other or 'tribalise' each other.

However, some do use the above sections to rule or dominate over others as currently seen and done in the past. COMPLETELY WRONG.

ox-cabby says...
12:29pm Mon 4 Apr 11

Religion or culture or the colour of our skin is there to recognise each other. . . Its not there to compete against each other or 'tribalise' each other.

However, some do use the above sections to rule or dominate over others as currently seen and done in the past. COMPLETELY WRONG.

J B Blackett says...
1:12pm Mon 4 Apr 11

I also agree with most of what Scaramuccia is saying (as well as agreeing with ox-cabby about disagreeing).
.
Is there anyone else I can agree with. I am , I like to think ,an agreeable , logical and rational person.
.
Some people might regard me as rather unfortunate for not having just one all-embracing book / tract written by other people that lays out exactly how to live my life , but so far I have got by mostly with a DIY manual and a couple of science books and inherited innate human instinct. Perhaps I have been lucky so far.
.
So emotionally, spiritually, intellectually and physically I feel OK without the need to refer to a celestial being or religious writings.
.
However financially I find I have problems that I need help with , but those are resolvable too with the help of not-too-distant Earthly beings in this life.
.
Thank you for your concern (ie if you are concerned). And regards to all

Scaramuccia says...
3:06pm Mon 4 Apr 11

Ox Cabby Religion, culture and practices associated with them are constructs created by mankind in order to distinguish one group form another. this invariably leads to groups considering their 'tribal' or group beliefs and practices are superior to those of others which creates divisiveness and often conflict when onbe group tries to convert or destroy the other. This was the basis of the crusades and whcih has resulted in very deep divisions between Christianity and Islam for example. It is arguable that even if we did not have religious divides we have others based on colour, looks, size or other aesthetics such as clothers as well as social status etc. what is wrong is the overall mindset of intolerance of difference in all its manifestations - religion for the most part is intolerant of non-beleivers wehatever the god.

telecaster says...
3:51pm Mon 4 Apr 11

So 2 numpties get married in a registry offce - and this is a story why?

J B Blackett says...
6:01pm Mon 4 Apr 11

You are correct again Scaramuccia , that for reasons (certainly beyond my understanding), that some people seem to need divisiveness and manufactured differences from others. They appear to need that aspect in their lives to justify their inherited 'belief systems' resulting in these 'superior' attitudes they espouse.
.
Hence Glasgow Rangers supporters hate and fight with Celtic supporters ; Everton's hate Liverpool's , West Hammers hate Spur's. And Everybody (allegedly) hates Man Utd and Chelsea.
.
Before football it was , I guess , it was the usual national , religion or tribal hate thing. Will it ever end ?
.
At least with football hatred the consequences tend to be more localized and fragmented not a world-wide hatred and riot thing. I can't see Oxford supporters wanting to rule the world with their set of lifetime rules and imposing them on all others with dire consequences if they ever dare to disobey.
.
I hope not anyway. I suppose anything is possible in non-cohesive fractured societies - which are on the increase if you look around.
.
It may be that all this sport hatred is what is called displacement (mis)behaviour. But the primary root 'hidden' cause of this hatred may be something even nastier. Rgds
.
PS Thank goodness that cricket seems least afflicted (at the moment).

ox-cabby says...
3:56am Tue 5 Apr 11

Don't but-in 'telecaster', its taken us a long time to get to this point! . . lol

Scara:

I know exactly what you mean and i do agree with you. Whole heartedly.

However, like i said, i AM religious and i believe i will be judged for my actions alone. Your right in saying that some people, whether its to do with race, religion or culture, do consider them selves superior and they have done in the past. But can you REALLY blame religion for that?

Religion has been hijacked by many fanatics over time for their own personal gain.

There were times when Christians, Jews and Muslims were living side by side and they still do in many countries, starting from the UK and outwards.

Its always been about power and greed which has been the driving force for the people who have committed heinous crimes. Unfortunately, its still happening today.

God bless you all, we all pray for peace and justice everywhere in the world.

I'm done on this one, well continue to argue on some other news item! . . :-)

Cricket is definitely the way forward....its 10k for stepping over a white line!

Asma_newbe says...
11:21pm Mon 11 Apr 11

If this is what they want wether it be a marraige of convienience or love then i say its up to them, they are neither blind or stupid people. Congratulations to them both and i hope they are both happy together.

waleedmoz says...
10:59pm Sun 17 Apr 11

I honestly wish and hope and PRAY that my wife could drive here in saudi arabia .. not because i believe in women's rights or any of that media crp .. i only want that to happen so i can chill and RELAX every now and then instead of driving her and my mom and my sisters everywhere .. seriously .. pls .. i'm sick of driving .. any y'all wanna start a revolution for woman to drive .. i'm in .. i'll even chip in for gas ..

BTW .. does the lil handsome prince got any pretty lil sisters ready for marriage .. cuz i would literally KILL to have a silver private jet ..

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