The longtime ruler issued a royal decree removing the titles of Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, though the details of the controversy are unclear
Credit: Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- The Sultan of Brunei stripped his daughter-in-law Raabi’atul Adawiyyah of her royal titles on Aug. 8
- Adawiyyah is married to the Sultan’s son Prince Abdul Malik, who is fourth in line to the throne
- The details of the controversy are unclear, but Adawiyyah is said to have demonstrated a “lack of respect” for the Sultan
The Sultan of Brunei has stripped his daughter-in-law of her royal titles.
On Saturday, Aug. 8, the longtime ruler issued a decree revoking the title of “Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri” from Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, the New Strait Times reported via RTB, the national public broadcaster of Brunei. Raabi’atul 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 throne. He and Raabi’atul, 33, married in 2015 and share four daughters; their children’s titles will reportedly not be affected.
Credit: ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty
The circumstances of the Sultan’s decision remain unclear. The Office of the Grand Chamberlain confirmed in a statement that Raabi’atul is no longer considered part of the royal family, saying only that the revocation of the titles was due to conduct “that was deemed unbecoming of a spouse of a member of the Royal Family.”
It was also said that her actions “tarnished the monarchy’s good name and demonstrated a lack of respect towards Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah” though no further details about her conduct or any alleged incidents were provided.
PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for the Brunei royal household for comment.
The 80-year-old Sultan is currently the world’s longest-reigning monarch, having aceded to the Bruneian throne in 1967, following the abdication of his father. He has also been the country’s prime minister since 1984, when it won its independence from British rule.
He is also said to be one of the richest men in the world, with a reported net worth of $50 billion as of 2023. As of 2025, he has 12 children by three wives, and 20 grandchildren.
The Sultan is one of the last remaining absolute monarchs in the world and has enacted some controversial policies in recent years. Brunei implemented Sharia law in 2014 and in 2019, the Sultan introduced new laws making offenses like abortion, adultery and same-sex relations 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 mentioning the new laws.
Following international pushback, the Sultan announced he would extend a moratorium on capital punishment for homosexuality, and signed the United Nations Convention Against Torture on behalf of Brunei.
Read the full article here
