Princess Raiyah of Jordan, the youngest daughter of Queen Noor of Jordan and sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan, is celebrating her 40th birthday. Despite her close ties to British cultural and social elites, she’s one of the most discreet members of the Jordanian royal family.
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Raiyah married British journalist-turned-police officer Ned Donovan, the grandson of famed author Roald Dahl, known for books like “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Matilda.”
A low-profile royal wedding during the pandemic
Princess Raiyah has spent much of her life out of the spotlight, though her wedding inevitably drew attention. Originally postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions, the ceremony took place outdoors and blended Arabic traditions with understated elegance. The couple met in India, where Donovan was working at the time.
Queen Noor attended the ceremony wearing a striking blue caftan embroidered with gold details. Raiyah opted for a romantic floral lace gown paired with a statement headpiece featuring a large sapphire worn across her forehead. Donovan, eight years her junior, wore a classic morning coat.
One of Raiyah’s most recent public outings came in January 2023, when she accompanied her mother to the funeral of Constantine II of Greece. Queen Noor’s appearance drew attention at the time, as she was seen alongside a woman who was later identified as her youngest daughter.
© AFP via Getty ImagesAn academic life centered on Japanese literature
Princess Raiyah’s path has been firmly rooted in academia. She earned a PhD in premodern Japanese literature from the University of California, Los Angeles. She also holds a master’s degree in Japanese studies from the University of Edinburgh, as well as a second master’s in Japanese literature from Columbia University.
She attended UWC Atlantic College in Wales, the same school attended by Spain’s Princess Leonor, lived in Tokyo for three years, and has continued to deepen her expertise in Asian languages and cultures.
© Getty ImagesFrom journalism to policing: Ned Donovan’s career shift
Before joining law enforcement, Ned Donovan worked as a reporter for The Times and contributed to outlets including Daily Mail, BuzzFeed, and The Spectator, while also appearing on BBC programs. He has served as an administrator and board member of the Anglo-Jordanian Society and is affiliated with the Royal Asiatic Society and the Royal Society for Asian Affairs.
Over the past year, Donovan has worked as a police officer in Isle of Palms, near Charleston, South Carolina, focusing on proactive patrols and criminal investigations. Prior to that, from September 2020 to March 2025, he served as a police officer in London with Scotland Yard, where he also specialized in public order policing.
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