Billionaire bonanza! Inside the second pre-wedding party of the year as Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani celebrate with a luxury Mediterranean cruise, custom Versace and performances from the Backstreet Boys

It was, somehow, an even bigger celebration than their previous pre-wedding bash. Back in March, the likes of Mark Zuckerberg, Karlie Kloss, and Bill Gates gathered in Jamnagar, Gujarat, for the $128 million Hastakshar, or ‘signing ceremony’ of Radhika and Anant. The groom’s father, Mukesh Ambani, is the mastermind behind oil-to-telecoms giant Reliance Industries and is thought to be worth over $114 billion. Rhianna took a break from her new career as a beauty mogul to put on an exclusive performance at the event, hosted at the couple’s family home, where Radhika wore custom Versace.

Over 1,500 guests attended the 750-acre compound. But, Merchant told Vogue, ‘many of their close friends’ were ‘unable to make it’ to the March celebration, hence their decision to throw a second get together in Europe last month.

The party kicked off in Palermo, with a welcome dinner under the Sicilian sun before guests boarded the luxury cruise ship. It would be a few hours before the evening’s entertainment struck up – not that the high-society shipmates would want for amusement in the mean time. Celebrity Ascent boasts 32 restaurants, an upper deck garden, countless pools, a casino, a spa, and a rather large theatre.

Katy Perry performed for the happy couple

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