Queen Rania invokes Jordanian heritage with the Karaki Madara at the opening of the National Assembly

The Queen of Jordan, Rania Al-Abdullah, chose to wear the Karak cloak during the opening ceremony of the third regular session of the twentieth National Assembly, in an appearance that carried symbolic connotations, and came days after the armed attack that targeted the Greek Orthodox Church in the village of “Hamu” in Karak Governorate in Jordan. The madrasa was made of dark purple velvet, and was decorated with delicate gold embroidery using shakah and beads, which appeared on the chest and skirt area.

Queen Rania coordinated it with a white shirt with wide sleeves, while the golden color extended to the rest of the accessories, from the metal belt that surrounded the waist to the clutch bag and classic high-heeled shoes. This was not Queen Rania's first appearance in the Karak Madara, as she had previously worn it on April 5, 2022, during a meeting with women from the Karak Governorate in the governorate's historic castle, on the sidelines of a Ramadan Iftar banquet.

Queen Rania then chose a black velvet skirt, which she coordinated with a beige shirt. In a reading of the two looks, the Jordanian expert in royal protocol and diplomatic etiquette, Lina Salamah Nasser, explained that the selection of the heritage piece on the two occasions came within two different contexts, despite its connection to the local identity of Karak, noting that the significance of the costumes is affected by the place, timing, and nature of the occasion.

Nasser indicated, in an interview with the Ofoq News website in Arabic, that Queen Rania’s appearance in the dress in 2022 was consistent with the nature and location of the meeting, especially since this outfit forms part of the women’s heritage in Karak. In November 2026, its choice came after the armed attack that the governorate witnessed.

In this context, Nasser pointed out that reading the view cannot be separated from its timing, especially since it came after the Queen’s expression of solidarity with the people of Karak and her visit to the region to offer condolences. She explained that fashion in modern royal environments is not limited to the aesthetic aspect, but rather forms part of the non-verbal communication system, which contributes to representing national identity, enhancing the public image, and supporting the state’s institutional messages.

She also added that the transfer of the Karaki Madarqa from its local context to the National Assembly gives it a different dimension, as it becomes part of a broader national scene that evokes the heritage of one of the Kingdom’s governorates during an official event representing state institutions. On the other hand, Nasser distinguished between protocol rules and symbolic connotations, explaining that there is no protocol rule that requires wearing the uniform of a specific region to express solidarity with it, nor can it be certain that choosing a specific look carries an intended message unless that is explicitly announced.