Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei

Abdul Mateen ibni Hassanal Bolkiah (Jawi: عبد المتين; born 10 August 1991)[1] is a member of the royal family of Brunei. He is the tenth child and fourth son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, by his former second wife, Yang Mulia Datin Paduka Seri Puan Hajah Mariam binti Haji Abdul Aziz. Additionally, he is the founder of Jab Boxing Gym[2] and the Deputy Chairman 2 of the Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara (JAIN).[3]

Abdul Mateen
عبد المتين
Abdul Mateen in 2024
Born (1991-08-10) 10 August 1991 (age 33)
Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Spouse
(m. 2024)
HouseBolkiah
FatherSultan Hassanal Bolkiah
MotherHajah Mariam
ReligionSunni Islam
Education Sports career
CountryBrunei
SportPolo
Medal record
Polo
Representing  Brunei
SEA Games
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Kuala Lumpur Men's tournament
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Calatagan Men's tournament
Military career
Allegiance Brunei
Service / branch Royal Brunei Air Force
Years of service2010–present
Rank Major
UnitSpecial Forces Regiment

Education

edit

Prince Mateen received his primary education at the St. Andrew's School in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.[4] He continued his secondary education at the Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College and Jerudong International School.[1]

In July 2014, Prince Mateen received his Bachelor of Arts degree in international politics from King's College London at the Barbican Centre in London.[5] In July 2016, Prince Mateen was awarded a Master of Arts degree in international studies and diplomacy from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.[6]

Career

edit

Military career

edit

Since young, Prince Mateen had a keen interest in military matters and has actively engaged in and attended a number of military-related events.[1] On 9 May 2010, he began his commissioning course for Regular Army Officers along with 200 recruits in Royal Military Academy Sandhurst at the age of 18.[7][8] On 15 April 2011, Prince Mateen graduated from the Sovereign's Parade Commissioning Course 102 as an officer cadet of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst,[1] United Kingdom and promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant.[8] After completing training at Sandhurst, he was attached to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment's Life Guards and the Blues and Royals.[1] According to a Borneo Bulletin report, Mateen was promoted to a rank of a Substantive Lieutenant later on 9 July 2012.[9][8] His promotion ceremony to Acting Captain was held on 31 August 2016 and would come into effect on 9 May later that year.[10] On 28 April 2017, he completed a seven-month Elementary Flying Training on No. 200 Elementary Flying Training Course at RAF Cranwell,[8][5] and later in March 2018, Prince Mateen was qualified as a helicopter pilot in Defence Helicopter Flying School (Single Engine Rotary Wing Flying Training No. 191 RW Course)[1] at RAF Shawbury, in which his father awarded him his flying brevet (wings).[5] On 30 June 2019, as part of the celebrations honoring the 58th anniversary of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), his father gave his permission to grant him honorary membership in the Special Forces Regiment.[11] That same year, he enrolled in the Aviation Physiology Centre and attended the 61st Basic Military Freefall Course in Singapore.[1]

On 20 May 2021, Prince Mateen was promoted to the rank of Major.[12] Later that year, Prince Mateen had undergone The All Arms Commando Course (AACC) at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in the United Kingdom for 11 weeks from 20 September to 2 December, where he received the Green Beret.[13][14] The RAF reported that he had spent the previous two weeks training alongside 64 other new parachutists. Once he completed the Basic Parachute Course 1317 on 23 September 2022, the award ceremony was held at RAF Brize Norton.[15][1]

Diplomatic career

edit

From 27 to 29 November 2015, Prince Mateen, as a representative of his father, attended the 24th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta. He was also present at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies' new building in May 2017.[1]

Following leaders' bilateral meetings in Amman on 4 October 2018, which saw the signing of three memorandum of understanding in the areas of infrastructure, tourism, and defense in addition to a customs cooperation agreement, Brunei and Jordan reaffirmed their longstanding alliance. The negotiations were held at Al-Husseinieh Palace with participation from senior cabinet members from both nations as well as Prince Mateen and Crown Prince Al Hussein.[16] Later on 19 October, alongside his father, he attended the 12th Asia–Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Brussels, where Brunei demanded that talks to get back up a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union (EU) and ASEAN.[17]

On 22 October 2019, saw the culmination of Japan's Emperor Naruhito's succession to the Chrysanthemum throne. With his father, he attended the rituals, which marked the culmination of a transition that began with his father's abdication earlier that year.[18] Later on 3 November, the 35th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits' Opening Ceremony was attended by both father and son at Muang Thong Thani.[19] On 19 September 2022, he and his father were present at Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth II's state burial.[20]

From 13 to 14 March 2023, Prince Mateen took part in a comprehensive tour of the Coronado, California-based Naval Special Warfare (NSW) commands. He met with members of NSW and Rear Admiral Keith B. Davids, chief of Navy Special Warfare Command, to talk about potential areas of future cooperation. A description of the human performance program at NSWG-1 was also given to him. The program employs a holistic approach to coordinate resources for the best performance and recovery. It includes strength and conditioning training, sports medicine, performance psychology, performance nutrition, and research and technologies related to human performance.[21] Once again along with his father, he went to the signing of the marriage contract, the royal solemnization ceremony, and the feast and celebration held in honour of Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Rajwa Khalid Alseif's royal wedding on 1 June.[22]

Sports career

edit

Prince Mateen has represented his country in polo at the 2017 and 2019 Southeast Asian Games.[23] Nearly 3,000 spectators came to watch the polo game between Brunei and Malaysia during the 2017 SEA Games, with notably him and his sister, Princess Azemah facing off Malaysian Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.[24][25] The 48° Torneo Internacional de Polo concluded at Santa María Polo Club in 2019 with the season's highlight event as the high goal Gold Cup final, which saw his team, MB Polo, win the coveted championship for the first time.[26]

On 7 April 2007, the AM Gunners captained by Abdul Mateen ended in a 1–1 draw against team Projek Ikan Pusu (PIP) during a Charity football match. The match which took place at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium collected a total of B$12,192.[27] A charity match between Mateen-led AM Gunners and Sport School was again held at the same location on 22 March 2008.[28]

Marriage

edit
 
Abdul Mateen and Anisha seen during their street parade, following their wedding in 2024

Prince Mateen and Anisha Rosnah binti Adam's royal wedding was declared on Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's orders. On 7 January 2024, the Majlis Istiadat Bersuruh Diraja marked the beginning of the royal wedding.[29] Anisha Rosnah is the granddaughter of Pehin Dato Isa who is the special advisor to the Sultan of Brunei. The celebration will last for ten days and include a number of religious ceremonies.[30] A 17-gun salute marked his arrival, and a procession of forty spear bearers preceded him. Anisha Rosnah arrived and received the same blessings from the Sultan and Queen Saleha before anybody else did. The pair wore coordinating crimson dresses for the occasion.[31]

President Joko Widodo, President Bongbong Marcos and Liza Araneta Marcos, Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Ho Ching, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Wan Azizah were among the special guests at the royal wedding reception on the 14th January 2024. Princess Noor and Amr Zedan, Princess Munira Al-Saud and Prince Mamdouh, Sheikh Rashid, Tengku Muhammad Iskandar, Tunku Idris Iskandar, Tengku Fahd Mu'adzam, and Tunku Tun Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah were also present.[32]

Personal life

edit

His residence is located at Istana Nurul Izzah, Jerudong.[33] Some of his hobbies include association football, horse riding, boxing, skiing, tennis, drums and guitar. In April 2023, he alongside other family members performed the Umrah pilgrimage in Mecca.[1]

Legacy

edit
Styles of
The Prince of Brunei
 
Reference styleHis Royal Highness
Spoken styleYour Royal Highness
Alternative styleDuli Tuanku

Namesakes

edit

Awards

edit

Honours

edit

National

edit

Foreign

edit

Ancestry

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Perkahwinan Diraja [The Royal Wedding]. Brunei Darussalam: Qasrun Nafis Publishing House. pp. 10, 12, 15, 20–21, 28–29, 32–33, 36–37, 47, 56–57, 67–68, 86. ISBN 978-99917-975-3-3.
  2. ^ "Royal Princes followed the Brunei National Boxing Tournament which was their first event during the Covid-19". ASBCNEWS. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara - Senarai Ahli majlis Mesyuarat Adat Istiadat". www.adat-istiadat.gov.bn. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  4. ^ Brunei Darussalam Newsletter. Department of Information, Prime Minister's Office. 2000.
  5. ^ a b c "Prince Mateen cleared for takeoff". The Scoop. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  6. ^ "HRH Prince 'Abdul Mateen Graduates with Master's Degree | Brunei's No.1 News Website". brudirect.com. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Sultanate - News | Negara Brunei Darussalam | Sultan leaves for UK". sultanate.com. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d "His Majesty Consents for the Promotion of His Royal Highness 920 Acting Captain Prince 'Abdul Mateen to Substantive Captain (Udara) in the Royal Brunei Air Force | Brunei's No.1 News Website". brudirect.com. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  9. ^ "Promotion For Prince Mateen". Borneo Post Online. 16 September 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  10. ^ "Prince 'Abdul Mateen Gets Acting Captain Promotion | Brunei's No.1 News Website". brudirect.com. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  11. ^ a b Wasil, Wardi (30 June 2019). "Defence strategy needs to be updated to reflect new threats: HM". The Scoop. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  12. ^ "27 rank up in RBAF » Borneo Bulletin Online". 27 rank up in RBAF. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  13. ^ "Sultan attends HRH graduation » Borneo Bulletin Online". 4 December 2021.
  14. ^ https://ne-np.facebook.com/borneobulletin.news/photos/congratulations-to-his-royal-highness-920-major-u-prince-abdul-mateen-on-graduat/5254968044530631/ [user-generated source]
  15. ^ "Sultan of Brunei pins parachute wings on son at Brize Norton". BBC News. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  16. ^ Bandial, Ain (5 October 2018). "Brunei, Jordan ink new agreements after Sultan's state visit". The Scoop. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  17. ^ Bandial, Ain (19 October 2018). "Sultan calls for EU, ASEAN to resume talks on free trade deal". The Scoop. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  18. ^ AFP (22 October 2019). "Japan's emperor completes enthronement in ancient ceremony". The Scoop. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  19. ^ "Opening Ceremony Of The 35th ASEAN Summit And Related Summits | Brunei's No.1 News Website". brudirect.com. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  20. ^ "His Majesty attends state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II » Borneo Bulletin Online". His Majesty attends state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. 20 September 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  21. ^ "Prince of Brunei Visits Naval Special Warfare Units". United States Navy. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  22. ^ "Sultan attends royal wedding in Jordan » Borneo Bulletin Online". Sultan attends royal wedding in Jordan. 3 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  23. ^ "Brunei royals flattered as fans travel to Batangas to watch them play polo". GMA News. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  24. ^ "KL2017: Star-studded polo affair as KJ squares up to Brunei's Princess Azemah". NewStraitsTimes. 22 August 2017.
  25. ^ "Which Asian royals joined Prince Abdul Mateen at the SEA Games?". South China Morning Post. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  26. ^ "Pololine | MB Polo wins high goal Gold Cup at Sotogrande". Pololine. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Perlawanan Bola Sepak Amal kutip lebih $12 ribu" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 11 April 2007. p. 22.
  28. ^ Gift!, God's (22 March 2008). "Inspired! - GoD's GiFT!: AM Gunners Charity Football Match - 22/03/08". Inspired! - GoD's GiFT!. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  29. ^ "January 7 marks start of royal wedding ceremony » Borneo Bulletin Online". January 7 marks start of royal wedding ceremony. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  30. ^ Singh, Keval (8 October 2023). "Brunei's Prince Mateen to marry in January 2024". The Strait Times. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  31. ^ "Was this the wedding of the decade? Ten days of lavish celebration come to an end in Brunei as Prince Abdul Mateen weds Anisha Rosnah Isa Kalebic". Tatler. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  32. ^ "Lavish Bersanding at Istana Nurul Iman » Borneo Bulletin Online". Lavish Bersanding at Istana Nurul Iman. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  33. ^ "Ambassador Maeda's audience with His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen". Embassy of Japan in Brunei Darussalam. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  34. ^ "Masjid Pengiran Muda Abdul Mateen Kampong Mulaut". masjidpmam.blogspot.com. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  35. ^ "Berita 2016 - Dikir Maulud terus bergema di Masjid Pengiran..." pelitabrunei.gov.bn. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  36. ^ "His Royal Highness in Singapore as Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow » Borneo Bulletin Online". His Royal Highness in Singapore as Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  37. ^ a b c "Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara - Senarai Ahli majlis Mesyuarat Adat Istiadat". adat-istiadat.gov.bn. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  38. ^ "664 receive state honorary medals". borneobulletin.com.bn. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  39. ^ Nadi, Syafie (15 January 2024). "We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations..." www.instagram.com. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
edit


Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei
Born: 10 August 1991
Preceded by Line of succession to the Bruneian throne
5th position
Succeeded by