His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam Wednesday consented to watch colourful displays in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, marking the highlights of this year's National Day Celebrations.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam arrived to a rousing welcome at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien, greeted by beatings of hadrah and cheers from flag waving school children who took position along the route leading to the venue.

Upon arrival, His Majesty was welcomed by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Dato Seri Paduka Doctor Haji Awang Hussein, the Executive Committee Chairman of Brunei Darussalam's National Day Celebrations. Present were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen.

Shortly after the arrival, His Majesty consented to receive a royal salute and inspect the Guard of Honour mounted by personnel of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the Royal Brunei Police Force.

The gathering was glorified with a medley of patriotic songs. More than twenty thousand people comprising government employees, students and the various communities took part in the gathering, with half of them involved in field performances that reflect the theme, "Bersepadu Memperkasa Mandiri Bangsa or "Together We Strengthen National Self-Reliance".

The displays in part symbolize that Bruneians are diligent, hardworking and united - a foundation for progress and development. Enacted by youth groups who, as a bridge to the future, will carry on Brunei's efforts towards attaining excellence. It also portrays the nation's pure aspiration to reflect its hope with a formation signifying that Brunei is fertile and it's environment clean.

The participants paraded in front of the Royal Dais in a march past under a mostly blissful overcast sky led by a team bearing a giant-size national flag. The pledge of loyalty in conjunction with the 21st National Day renews loyalty and solidarity to His Majesty as well as his leadership towards maintaining the sovereignty, peace and security of the nation.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to receive messages of congratulations from heads of state and government of several nations on the occasion of the country's 21st National Day.

The messages came from kings and queens, presidents, prime ministers and various leaders of countries from all over the globe, including the Secretary General of the United Nations, His Excellency Kofi A. Annan.