Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has revoked all royal titles held by his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, citing conduct that was considered “unbecoming” of a member of the royal family and saying her actions had harmed the monarchy’s reputation.
The Office of the Grand Chamberlain of Brunei Darussalam confirmed earlier this month that the titles were withdrawn with immediate effect following an order from the Sultan.
According to the official statement, the decision was taken because Raabi’atul Adawiyyah’s behaviour was deemed inappropriate for the wife of a member of the royal family. The statement also alleged that her actions had damaged the monarchy’s image and showed disrespect towards Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. However, it did not provide details about the alleged conduct.
Brunei’s state broadcaster RTB News similarly reported that the titles were removed over behaviour considered disrespectful to the Sultan and damaging to the monarchy’s reputation, without elaborating on the allegations.
The 33-year-old Raabi’atul Adawiyyah is married to 43-year-old Prince Abdul Malik, the Sultan’s son and fourth in line to the Bruneian throne.
As a result of the decree, she has lost the title of Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri.
REASONS FOR REVOCATION UNDER SCRUTINY
The decision has attracted attention because there has been no official indication that Raabi’atul Adawiyyah and Prince Abdul Malik have divorced or separated, unlike previous cases in which royal titles were withdrawn following the dissolution of marriages.
In 2003, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah removed the royal titles of his second wife, Mariam Abdul Aziz, after their divorce. He took similar action in 2010 following his divorce from his third wife, Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim.
Raabi’atul Adawiyyah married Prince Abdul Malik in 2015 in a lavish 10-day royal wedding in Bandar Seri Begawan that was attended by thousands of people.
The couple have four daughters — Princess Muthee'ah, Princess Fathiyyah, Princess Khaalishah and Princess Nabeelah. Reports indicate that their children have retained their royal titles.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 80, has ruled Brunei since 1968, making him the world’s longest-reigning monarch.
He governs the oil-rich Southeast Asian country under an absolute monarchy and lives at Istana Nurul Iman, regarded as the world’s largest residential palace, which contains 1,788 rooms.
