Turmoil is brewing within one of the richest and most closed royal families in the world due to the decision of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, to strip all royal titles from his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Rabi'atul Adawiyah, judging that her behavior was improper and showed a "lack of respect" toward him.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the 80-year-old Hassanal Bolkiah, the world's longest-reigning monarch, issued a relevant decree regarding the 33-year-old wife of his son, Prince Abdul Malik, who is fourth in the line of succession to the throne.
According to the official announcement, Pengiran is losing her position and titles within the royal family due to "improper behavior," which reportedly "tarnished the good name of the monarchy."
The palace has not revealed exactly what the 33-year-old did to provoke the Sultan's wrath. However, the Office of the Grand Chamberlain confirmed that she is no longer considered a member of the royal family.
"The revocation was carried out following the behavior of Pengiran Rabi'atul Adawiyah, which was deemed improper for a spouse of a member of the royal family," the announcement stated, adding that her actions "tarnished the good name of the monarchy and demonstrated a lack of respect toward Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah."
The glamorous wedding and the four children
Pengiran joined the Brunei royal family in 2015 when she married Prince Abdul Malik in an impressive wedding ceremony, with celebrations lasting a total of ten days. Abdul Malik is the Sultan's second son from his first marriage to Queen Saleha. In total, Hassanal Bolkiah has had 12 children from three marriages.
The couple has four daughters: Princess Mutiara, 10 years old; Princess Fathia, eight years old; Princess Khalisa, six years old; and Princess Nabila, 16 months old. Despite the decision issued against their mother, the royal titles of the four children do not appear to be affected, according to the British newspaper.
The Sultan of Brunei stripped his daughter-in-law of royal titles because she showed him "disrespect"
The controversial monarch of Brunei
Hassanal Bolkiah has been on the throne since 1967. In addition to being Sultan, he has also been the Prime Minister of Brunei since 1984, the year the country gained independence from Britain.
Unlike other European monarchs, he possesses extremely extensive powers. He is simultaneously the Minister of Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Finance, while also maintaining full control over the police. As the head of the Islamic religion in the country, he also plays a decisive role in the state's religious policy.
His long rule has repeatedly been at the center of international criticism regarding human rights issues. In 2014, the Sultan promoted the implementation of a strict Islamic criminal law framework, which provided, among other things, penalties such as stoning, amputation, and flogging for certain offenses.
In 2019, international outcry peaked when provisions were enacted that even provided for death by stoning for homosexual sexual acts and adultery. The government subsequently announced that the existing moratorium on executions would also apply to these specific provisions.
This policy had caused intense international reactions. Among others, George Clooney and Elton John had called for a boycott of hotels associated with the Sultan, particularly those of the Dorchester Collection.
Despite criticisms of the way he exercises power, Hassanal Bolkiah maintained close ties with the British monarchy, particularly with Queen Elizabeth II. The two had met repeatedly both in London and in the capital of Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan, and the Sultan had been knighted by the Queen, as had previously happened with his father.