The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has revoked the royal titles of his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi'atul Adawiyyah, citing unbecoming behavior and a lack of respect towards the monarch.
According to a statement from the Office of the Grand Chamberlain, the 33-year-old's actions were deemed to have tarnished the monarchy's good name. The specific conduct leading to the revocation was not detailed, but the statement confirmed her removal from the royal family.
Pengiran Raabi'atul Adawiyyah married Prince Abdul Malik, fourth in line to the Brunei throne, in 2015. The couple has four children, whose royal titles remain unaffected.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 80, is the world's longest-reigning monarch and has served as Brunei's Prime Minister since the country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. He holds significant executive authority under the 1959 constitution, including positions as Minister of Defence, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Finance, and also controls the police force.
Bolkiah's reign has been marked by controversy, particularly concerning Brunei's human rights record. In 2014, he advocated for the implementation of Islamic Sharia penalties, which include severe punishments such as death by stoning, limb severance, and flogging for certain offenses. These offenses include abortions, adultery, and same-sex sexual acts.
The Sultan's stance on Sharia law drew international criticism in 2014, with human rights advocates and public figures calling for boycotts of hotels associated with the Sultan's Dorchester Collection. Educational institutions with ties to the Sultan were also urged to revoke honorary degrees.
In April 2019, Brunei implemented anti-LGBT legislation that made homosexual acts punishable by death by stoning, though conviction required independent witnessing of the act.