The Marital Status Of Brunei's Prince: Is He Single?

The Prince of Brunei, Prince Mateen, is no longer single. The 32-year-old trained helicopter pilot and major in the Royal Brunei Air Force married his commoner (non-royal) fiancée, 29-year-old Anisha Rosnah Isa-Kalebic, in a grandiose 10-day royal wedding ceremony in January 2024. Prince Mateen is the son of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the world's richest royals, and is himself considered one of Asia's most eligible bachelors.

Prince Mateen's wedding to Anisha Rosnah

The wedding of Brunei's Prince Abdul Mateen and Princess Anisha Rosnah was a lavish affair that lasted for ten days, with a series of religious and secular celebrations. The couple, who had been dating since 2018, got married in January 2024, with the festivities kicking off on the 7th of the month with the Majlis Istiadat Bersuruh Diraja.

The wedding combined traditional and religious ceremonies with public, secular celebrations. One of the highlights was the Istiadat Berbedak, a centuries-old powdering ceremony that is customary in Malaysia and Brunei. During this ritual, the groom and bride-to-be are blessed by close family members, wishing them a happy, fertile, and wealthy married life.

On the day of the ceremony, Prince Abdul Mateen arrived first, led by a parade of 40 spear carriers and heralded by a 17-gun salute. The Sultan and his wife were the first to bless their son, followed by Anisha Rosnah, who received the same blessings. The couple wore coordinating crimson outfits, which were elaborately designed and decorated.

The wedding banquet at the royal palace was attended by 5,000 guests, including royalty and heads of state from various countries. The grand celebrations reflected the wealth and status of the royal family, with Brunei being one of the richest countries in the world.

The newlyweds are both well-educated and accomplished individuals. Prince Abdul Mateen, the fourth son and tenth child of the Sultan of Brunei, has a degree from King's College London and is a trained helicopter pilot. He is also a low-key social media star and the founder of Jab Boxing Gym. Princess Anisha Rosnah, on the other hand, is an entrepreneur who runs a silk garment company and a luxury travel startup. She attended the University of Bath in the United Kingdom and completed a semester at Complutense University in Madrid. She is also the granddaughter of the Sultan of Brunei's special advisor.

Prince Mateen's career as a helicopter pilot

Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei has had a distinguished career as a helicopter pilot and member of the Royal Brunei Air Force.

Prince Mateen began his career in the military when he started his Commissioning Course for Regular Army Officers at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 9 May 2010, graduating on 15 April 2011 as a Second Lieutenant. He was promoted to Acting Captain on 31 August 2016, and after completing Elementary Flying Training at RAF Cranwell in April 2017, he qualified as a helicopter pilot in March 2018 at the Defence Helicopter Flying School, RAF Shawbury. His father, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, awarded him his flying brevet (wings). On 30 June 2019, as part of the celebrations honouring the 58th anniversary of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Prince Mateen was granted honorary membership in the Special Forces Regiment.

On 20 May 2021, Prince Mateen was promoted to the rank of Major. Later that year, he successfully completed The All Arms Commando Course at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in the UK, earning the Green Beret. Following Basic Parachute Training on 23 September 2022, an award ceremony was held at RAF Brize Norton.

Prince Mateen's military career

Prince Mateen has had a decorated military career. On May 9, 2010, he began his Commissioning Course for Regular Army Officers at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, graduating on April 15, 2011, as a Second Lieutenant. He was later promoted to Substantive Lieutenant on July 9, 2012, and then to Acting Captain on August 31, 2016, which came into effect on May 9, 2017.

Prince Mateen has also completed several training courses and programs. He finished his seven-month Elementary Flying Training at RAF Cranwell in April 2017 and qualified as a helicopter pilot in March 2018 at the Defence Helicopter Flying School, RAF Shawbury. He received his flying brevet (wings) from his father, the Sultan of Brunei. On June 30, 2019, as part of the 58th-anniversary celebrations of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, he was granted honorary membership in the Special Forces Regiment.

Prince Mateen was promoted to the rank of Major on May 20, 2021. Later that year, he completed the All Arms Commando Course at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in the UK, earning the Green Beret. He also completed Basic Parachute Training on September 23, 2022, and an award ceremony was held at RAF Brize Norton.

Prince Mateen's hobbies

Prince Mateen of Brunei has a wide range of hobbies and interests that showcase his multifaceted personality. Here is some information about his hobbies and pastimes:

Sports Enthusiast

Prince Mateen is an avid sports enthusiast and actively participates in various sports. He is particularly interested in equestrian sports and often competes in horse-riding events, showcasing his skills and passion for riding. He represented his country in polo at the 2017 and 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Prince Mateen is also a football fan and supports local teams and initiatives that promote the sport in Brunei. He played in a charity football match between his team, AM Gunners, and Projek Ikan Pusu (PIP) in 2007, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Martial Arts

Prince Mateen's interest in martial arts reflects his dedication to physical fitness and discipline. He has a black belt in taekwondo and has also studied karate and kung fu. He believes that martial arts training helps develop self-defence skills and promotes mental focus and discipline.

Music and Instruments

Prince Mateen enjoys playing musical instruments and is a talented drummer and guitarist. He often shares his musical pursuits on social media, showcasing his skills and interest in music.

Outdoor Adventures

The Prince enjoys outdoor adventures and extreme sports. He likes to explore the wild mountains, dive into the ocean, and ride through the wilderness in SUVs or on quad bikes. He also enjoys bungee jumping and has shared photos of his jumps on social media.

Travel and Exploration

Prince Mateen is a well-travelled individual who enjoys exploring different cultures and connecting with people globally. He often shares photos from his travels on social media, including cruises in the Mediterranean and visits to the beaches of the French Riviera. He also enjoys spending time at home, riding horses and swimming in the sea.

Fan of Manchester United

Prince Mateen is a fervent supporter of the football club Manchester United and considers David Beckham his football idol. He also plays football himself and is a member of an amateur football team.

Philanthropy

While not exactly a hobby, Prince Mateen's philanthropic efforts are worth mentioning. He is deeply committed to social causes and actively supports various charitable organisations. His focus areas include education, healthcare, and youth empowerment. He advocates for education and has contributed to scholarship programs. He also participates in campaigns to improve healthcare access and awareness in Brunei. Through various initiatives, he works to empower the youth of Brunei, encouraging them to pursue their dreams.

The wealth of the Brunei royal family

The Royal Family of Brunei, led by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the wealthiest royal families in the world. The Sultan is one of the few remaining absolute monarchs in the world and has ruled Brunei since 1967, making him the world's longest-reigning current monarch and the longest-serving current head of state. As of 2023, the Sultan's net worth is estimated to be $30 billion, while the royal family's wealth is estimated to be $28 billion.

The Sultan's extravagant lifestyle and spending habits are well-known. He resides in the largest residential palace in the world, with 1,788 rooms and 257 bathrooms. The palace is said to have a 110-car garage, an air-conditioned stable for his 200 polo ponies, and five swimming pools. The Sultan is also reported to own several private jets, 600 Rolls-Royces, and almost 300 Ferraris.

The Sultan's brother, Prince Jefri Bolkiah, has also gained notoriety for his lavish spending. In a 2011 Vanity Fair profile, it was revealed that Prince Jefri owned over 2,300 cars and a yacht named 'Tits' with tenders called 'Nipple 1' and 'Nipple 2'. The Sultan's 14-year-old nephew, Prince Hakeem, once spent $500,000 on two Bentleys, and the royal family's staff reportedly spent $50,000 on roses for a half-hour visit by Princess Pengiran Isteri Norahyati.

The wealth and privilege enjoyed by the Royal Family of Brunei stand in stark contrast to the strict Islamic criminal penalties implemented in the country, which have sparked international outrage and protests.

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