Royal Titles Withdrawn With Immediate Effect
Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has removed all royal titles from his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Rabiatul-Adawiyah, following allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
The decision was confirmed by the Office of the Grand Chamberlain of Brunei Darussalam.
According to the official statement, the order came directly from Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and took effect immediately.
Authorities said Rabiatul-Adawiyah’s conduct was considered disrespectful toward the Sultan and had affected the reputation and dignity of the Brunei monarchy.
However, the royal household did not provide specific details about the alleged behaviour that led to the decision.
Following the order, Rabiatul-Adawiyah lost the royal style and title “Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Istri.”
The removal marks a significant change in her formal status within Brunei’s royal family.
No Divorce Announced Between Prince Abdul Malik and Rabiatul-Adawiyah
Rabiatul-Adawiyah, 33, is married to Prince Abdul Malik, 43, one of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s sons.
Prince Abdul Malik is fourth in line to the Brunei throne.
Despite the withdrawal of his wife’s royal titles, there has been no official announcement confirming a divorce or separation between the couple.
They married in a lavish royal ceremony in Bandar Seri Begawan in 2015.
The wedding attracted international attention and was attended by members of the royal family, government officials and invited guests.
The couple have four children.
Reports indicate that their children have retained their royal titles despite the change in their mother’s status.
No official statement has suggested that the children’s position within the royal family has been affected.
The absence of a divorce announcement has also made the latest decision unusual compared with some previous cases involving the Sultan’s former wives.
Sultan Has Previously Withdrawn Royal Titles After Divorces
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has previously removed royal titles from members of his family following marital separations.
In 2003, he stripped royal titles from his second wife, Maryam Abdul Aziz, following their divorce.
A similar decision was taken in 2010 after his divorce from his third wife, Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim.
The latest case differs because no divorce involving Prince Abdul Malik and Rabiatul-Adawiyah has been publicly announced.
This means the removal of her titles appears to be linked specifically to the conduct cited by the royal household rather than a confirmed end to the marriage.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 80, has ruled Brunei since 1968.
His reign has made him one of the world’s longest-serving monarchs.
The Sultan holds significant authority in Brunei and plays a central role in the country’s political and royal institutions.
The latest decision has drawn attention because of the limited information released about the alleged conduct.
For now, Rabiatul-Adawiyah remains married to Prince Abdul Malik according to publicly available information, but she no longer holds her former royal titles.
