Who Is Mateen Bolkiah, the Prince of Brunei?
Mateen Bolkiah, a lesser-known but intriguing figure in royal circles, has piqued curiosity due to his connections and unique background. Despite his royal status and occasional glimpses into his life, the 32-year-old maintains a relatively low profile compared to other members of prominent royal families. His privacy and the guarded nature of Brunei's royal family contribute to the air of mystery surrounding his personal life and activities.
Here's everything we know about Mateen Bolkiah, the Prince of Brunei:
He was born in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.
Born into Brunei's royal family, Mateen is the fourth son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and one of the Sultan's 10 children. His royal lineage places him in a position of privilege and influence within Brunei's monarchy, which often remains private and enigmatic to the outside world.
He has an affinity for sports.
While details about Mateen's upbringing remain mostly shielded from the public eye, some glimpses into his life reveal his affinity for sports, particularly football. Aside from football, for Prince Mateen, four in the afternoon is polo time. Sometimes, he plays with his sister, Princess Azemah. He has even been featured on the cover of a magazine holding a mallet.
The prince during the Sotogrande International Polo Tournament at the Ayala Polo Club in Cadiz
He has a distinguished military career
Prince Mateen is a major in the Brunei military, having studied at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst—a prestigious institution known for producing military officers and fostering leadership skills.—in the U.K. at age 18. He has his own military uniform, and presumably, a heap of bespoke suits for dinners and other state functions.
He frequently attends royal functions with his father
In 2022, he attended Queen Elizabeth's funeral in London with his father Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. (Fun fact: upon Queen Elizabeth's death, Hassanal became the world's longest-reigning monarch.) He has also attended coronations, summits, weddings, and more including the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, as well as the royal wedding of Jordan's Prince Hussein and Rajwa Al Saif.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Prince Abdul Mateen
He just announced his engagement
In the realm of relationships, Mateen's personal life has occasionally garnered attention, with reports linking him to high-profile individuals. However, concrete details about his romantic relationships largely remain undisclosed—until now.
In October, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced the engagement of his son to Anisha Rosnah. "By the royal command of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei Darussalam, the palace has announced the upcoming wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen and Anisha Isa Kalebic will be held from 7 to 16 January 2024," the official announcement stated.
Anisha is the granddaughter of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's special advisors, Pehin Dato Isa. The wedding is set for 2024, beginning on January 7.
