Brunei Sultan Strips Daughter-in-Law of Royal Titles Over ‘Unbecoming’ Conduct

The Sultan of Brunei has stripped one of his daughters-in-law of all her royal titles after she was accused of showing disrespect toward him in an act deemed “unbecoming” of a member of the royal family.

Thirty-three-year-old Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah was accused of disrespecting 80-year-old Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the world’s longest-reigning current monarch, according to national broadcaster RTB News.

An official announcement did not specify what exactly Pengiran had done or provide further details about the incident.

According to the Office of the Chief Chamberlain, which issued the announcement, the decision was made at the Sultan’s personal command.

The removal of her titles followed conduct by Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah that was deemed inappropriate for the wife of a member of the royal family.

Pengiran married Prince Abdul Malik in 2015. Their wedding was celebrated with a lavish 10-day ceremony at the royal palace.

The couple have four children: Princess Muti’ah, 10, Princess Fathiyyah, 8, Princess Halisha, 6, and Princess Nabila, 16 months.

Their father is fourth in line to the Bruneian throne.

The palace stressed that while Pengiran herself had been stripped of her titles, the decision would not affect her children, whose royal statuses remain unchanged.

Hassanal Bolkiah has ruled the small Southeast Asian nation as both absolute monarch and prime minister since Brunei gained independence from Britain in 1984.

The Sultan has previously been at the center of international controversy. Celebrities including George Clooney and Elton John publicly protested his plans to introduce the death penalty in Brunei for same-sex relations and adultery.