Brunei’s ‘Hot’ Prince Marries Commoner in Grandiose 10-Day Wedding Ceremony

The small Southeast Asian nation of Brunei has for a number of years been residence to one of many world’s most swoon-worthy royals and considered one of Asia’s “most eligible bachelors”—although Prince Abdul Mateen, who remains to be frequently described as “hot,” “sexy,” and variations thereof, has now given up the latter title.

The 32-year-old trained helicopter pilot and main within the Royal Brunei Air Pressure—identified for winning sports medals in polo, hanging out with tigers, and amassing 2.5 million Instagram followers—is marrying his “commoner” (non-royal) fiancée, 29-year-old Anisha Rosnah Isa-Kalebic, in a part-traditional, part-grandiose 10-day royal nuptial competition this month that started on Jan. 7 and can finish on Jan. 16.

The solemnization ceremony, which formally legalizes the wedding earlier than additional days of celebration, happened on Thursday, Jan. 11, on the gold-domed Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. Solely male company—largely ministers and authorities officers, and excluding even the bride—had been allowed to attend the ceremony within the mosque.  

Prince Mateen is the son of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, one of many world’s richest royals with an estimated web price of nearly $28 billion—evidenced by his several jets, hundreds of Rolls Royces and Ferraris, and a palace with 1,700 rooms. Prince Mateen, sixth in line to the throne, is the Sultan’s fourth son and tenth baby. 

Isa-Kalebic is the granddaughter of one of many Sultan’s particular advisors, Pehin Dato Isa—the founding chairman of the Royal Brunei Airways. Media studies say Isa-Kalebic runs a trend model known as Silk Collective and co-owns a tourism firm known as Authentirary with a buddy.

The engagement of the 2 was introduced in October 2023, however they’re believed to have been relationship for years, although particulars of their courtship stay scant. The couple was seen collectively on the wedding ceremony ceremonies of Mateen’s sisters Princess Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah in 2023 and Princess Fadzilah in 2022.

Earlier Brunei royal wedding ceremony ceremonies have equally lasted a number of days, given the a number of occasions concerned. Native media outlet The Scoop studies that the schedule kicked off with a royal proposal on Jan. 7. The spotlight of the festivities is the reception, which takes place within the sultanate palace Istana Nurul Iman on Jan. 14 and is anticipated to be attended by an array of celebrities and notable company.

Particulars of the worldwide who’s-who visitor record haven’t been publicized, however it may doubtlessly embrace company from the British royal household—Mateen and his Sultan father had been noticed at King Charles’ coronation and Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, and the Sultan additionally attended Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding ceremony in 2011. Royals from Jordan are additionally anticipated to attend, after Mateen and his dad and mom attended the wedding of Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Rajwa Alseif last June. 

After the reception, the newlywed Brunei royal couple will then embark on a procession by way of the streets of the capital, Bandar Seri Bagawan, in a grand parade. To cap off the celebration, a royal banquet can be held on Jan. 15.