An American woman became a princess after meeting a man in a bar in Washington DC, who turned out to be an African Prince.
Ariana Austin, 33, and 35-year-old lawyer Joel Makonnen - a great-grandson of Haile Selassie I, the last emperor of Ethiopia - were married in a ceremony last month, 12 years after they met on the dance floor of the bar.
According to their wedding website, the pair always believed it 'was written' that they would fall in love and the ceremony was a meeting of 'Old World aristocracy and New World charm'.
The site adds that: "Ariana grew up in Washington DC and studied English Literature at Fisk University and Arts, Education, and Creative Writing at Harvard. Formerly, she worked as a curator of arts experiences connected to cities in DC, NYC, and Camden, NJ. Today, she works in philanthropy."
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Meanwhile, Joel was born in Rome and grew up in France and Switzerland due to his family being exiled following a military coup in Ethiopia.
It goes on to say: "He attended Skema Business School in France then continued his studies in the US, at American University and Howard Law School. He now works in the international legal affairs department of Otsuka, a Japanese company."
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Credit: Instagram
Makonnen told the New York Times that just five minutes after he met Austin, he said to her: "You're going to be my girlfriend." Talk about a fast mover!
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Describing the ceremony, friend of the pair Dhonielle Clayton said: "Two of my favorite humans made it official this weekend. I've been waiting for this wedding for ten years. Austin and I frolicked in Paris chasing James Baldwin in our early twenties, trying to figure out how'd we take over the world with our pens.
"She'd just met Makonnen and I remember him visiting us there. They're the best! Husband and wife, and also, prince and princess, H.I.H Prince Joel Makonnen Haile Selassie and Princess Ariana Makonnen Haile Selassie! Congrats, my loves!"
Topics: Bar, World News