Brunei sultan revokes daughter-in-law’s royal titles, citing disrespect

Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law of her royal titles, according to the New Straits Times, citing an official decree.

The 80-year-old monarch issued the decree on Saturday, August 8, revoking the title of “Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri” from Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, who is married to Prince Abdul Malik, the Sultan’s second son from his first and only remaining wife, Queen Saleha.

Prince Abdul Malik, 43, is currently fourth in line to the Bruneian throne. He and Raabi’atul, 33, married in 2015 and have four daughters. Their children’s royal titles will reportedly remain unchanged.

The circumstances behind the Sultan’s decision have not been disclosed. The Office of the Grand Chamberlain confirmed that Raabi’atul is no longer considered part of the royal family, saying the revocation followed conduct “that was deemed unbecoming of a spouse of a member of the Royal Family.”

The office also said her actions “tarnished the monarchy’s good name and demonstrated a lack of respect towards Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.” No further details were provided about her conduct or any alleged incidents.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is the world’s longest-reigning monarch. He acceded to the throne in 1967 after the abdication of his father and has served as Brunei’s prime minister since 1984, when the country gained independence from British rule.

He is also widely regarded as one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, with a reported net worth of $50 billion as of 2023. As of 2025, he has 12 children from three wives and 20 grandchildren.

The Sultan is one of the world’s few remaining absolute monarchs. Brunei introduced Sharia law in 2014, and in 2019 he introduced legislation under which offences including abortion, adultery and same-sex relations could be punishable by stoning or amputation of limbs.

“I want to see Islamic teachings in this country grow stronger,” he said in a public address at the time, without directly referring to the new laws.

Following international criticism, the Sultan announced that Brunei would extend its moratorium on the death penalty for homosexuality. He also signed the United Nations Convention Against Torture on behalf of Brunei.

By Tamilla Hasanova