Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei strips daughter-in-law Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah of royal title over ‘unbecoming’ conduct; no divorce yet announced from Prince Abdul Malik
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of her royal title, with the country’s Office of the Grand Chamberlain saying her conduct was deemed “unbecoming” of a spouse of a member of the royal family. The decree, issued on Saturday, August 8, revoked her title of “Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri” with immediate effect.Raabi’atul, 33, is married to Prince Abdul Malik, 43, the Sultan’s second son with his first and only remaining wife, Queen Saleha, and the fourth in line to the Bruneian throne. While the official statement said her actions had tarnished the monarchy’s reputation and demonstrated a lack of respect towards Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, authorities have not disclosed what conduct led to the unprecedented decision.
Brunei royal family title revoked with immediate effect
The Office of the Grand Chamberlain confirmed that Raabi’atul is no longer considered part of Brunei’s royal family following the Sultan’s decree. According to a statement reported by Brunei’s national broadcaster RTB News and The New Straits Times, the decision followed conduct that was considered inappropriate for someone married to a member of the royal family.The statement said her actions had “tarnished the monarchy’s good name” and showed “a lack of respect towards Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.” However, officials have not provided details about the alleged incident or incidents behind the decision.There has also been no official announcement of a divorce between Raabi’atul and Prince Abdul Malik.
Prince Abdul Malik and Raabi’atul Adawiyyah married in 2015
Raabi’atul married Prince Abdul Malik in 2015 in a lavish royal ceremony at Istana Nurul Iman, the Sultan’s official residence in Bandar Seri Begawan. The wedding celebrations reportedly continued for 10 days and attracted thousands of guests.The couple have four daughters: Princess Muthee’ah, 10, Princess Fathiyyah, eight, Princess Khaalishah, six, and Princess Nabeelah, who is 16 months old.Their children’s royal titles are reportedly unaffected by the Sultan’s decree.Prince Abdul Malik, 43, is one of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s 12 children and is currently fourth in the line of succession.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped royal titles before
The Sultan’s decision is not the first instance in which he has revoked royal titles from members of his family. In 2003, he stripped his second wife, Mariam Abdul Aziz, of her royal titles following their divorce.He similarly removed the royal titles of his third wife, Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim, after their divorce in 2010.However, Raabi’atul’s case is notably different because she remains married to the Sultan’s son. There has been no public confirmation that the couple have separated or divorced.
Who is Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah?
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 80, has ruled Brunei for decades and is regarded as the world’s longest-reigning monarch. He succeeded his father in 1967 and became Brunei’s prime minister following the country’s independence from Britain in 1984.The oil-rich Southeast Asian nation, located on the island of Borneo and surrounded by Malaysia, is an absolute monarchy under his rule.The Sultan is also known for his extraordinary wealth and his residence at Istana Nurul Iman, a vast palace in Bandar Seri Begawan that has 1,788 rooms.Brunei introduced Sharia law in 2014, while a new penal code implemented in 2019 drew international criticism for provisions concerning offences including adultery and same-sex relations. Following international condemnation, the Sultan announced a moratorium on the death penalty for homosexuality.
