BANDAR SERI BAGAWAN, BRUNEI: Brunei’s Prince Abdul Mateen, the polo-playing royal often hailed as one of Asia’s most eligible bachelors, entered marital bliss on Thursday with his commoner fiancee, Yang Mulia Anisha Rosnah, in a grand 10-day celebration in the oil-rich sultanate.
The 32-year-old prince, the 10th child of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, participated in an Islamic marriage ceremony held inside a gold-domed mosque in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Dressed in a traditional white outfit adorned with diamond-shaped motifs, Prince Mateen was joined by the sultan, relatives, and guests for the male-only ceremony.
Following the ceremony, Prince Mateen approached his father, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, and kissed his hand, marking a poignant moment in the royal celebrations. The festivities are set to culminate on Sunday with an opulent ceremony at the 1,788-room palace and a lavish procession, expected to be attended by international royalty and political leaders.
The royal wedding, described by many as a fairytale, has captivated the imagination of Bruneians, with plans for crowds to line the streets on Sunday to witness the royal newlyweds in the procession. The extravagant affair underscores the extreme wealth of Brunei, primarily derived from its significant oil reserves.
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Brunei, with its strict Islamic laws and a population of around 450,000, stands as one of the world’s richest countries, boasting an annual GDP per capita of nearly $36,000. However, challenges loom as the country seeks to diversify its economy amid volatile crude prices and dwindling reserves.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, once the world’s richest man, continues to wield considerable wealth, with a reported collection of luxury vehicles and an expansive riverside palace. While Prince Mateen is unlikely to ascend the throne, his matinee idol looks and social media following have made him a prominent figure in the royal family.
A helicopter pilot in Brunei’s air force, Prince Mateen graduated from Britain’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and represented his country in polo at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. With growing involvement in international diplomacy, he has accompanied his father to significant events, including the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla and Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in 2022.
Often dubbed the “hot royal” and compared to Britain’s Prince Harry, Prince Mateen’s wedding marks not only a personal milestone but also a moment of spectacle that showcases Brunei’s royal extravagance on the global stage.
