In a celebration befitting royalty, Brunei’s Prince Abdul Mateen, the internet sensation and one of Asia’s most eligible bachelors, recently tied the knot with his commoner fiancée, Yang Mulia Anisha Rosnah, in a lavish 10-day royal wedding. The event, marked by opulence, tradition, and a touch of modernity, has captured the hearts of fans worldwide, leaving many swooning over the charismatic prince.
The unexpected announcement of Prince Mateen’s engagement to Anisha Rosnah in December took the internet by storm. The prince, aged 32, known for his striking good looks and military service, has garnered a massive following of over 2.5 million on Instagram and a substantial presence on TikTok. The news of his impending marriage to the granddaughter of an adviser to Brunei’s leader, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, only fueled the frenzy among his devoted admirers.
Image from BBC (Instagram)
The royal nuptials took place at the majestic Istana Nurul Iman palace. Prince Mateen, dressed in ceremonial military uniform, exchanged vows with his bride, who looked resplendent in a long white dress and jewels. The guest list boasted around 5,000 attendees, including royalty from Saudi Arabia and Jordan, as well as dignitaries such as Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo and the leader of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The couple’s first public appearance as husband and wife was nothing short of a fairy tale, as they waved at throngs of well-wishers from the back of an open-top Rolls Royce during a grand procession through the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. The spectacle left onlookers in awe, with schoolteacher Norliha Mohamad describing it as a “once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
The wedding festivities, spanning ten days, reached their zenith in a grand ceremony on Sunday. Local TV stations broadcasted the events, allowing citizens to witness the grandeur of the celebration in the small, oil-rich sultanate.
Prince Mateen, the tenth child of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, holds no immediate succession claim to the throne, yet his profile has skyrocketed. With video edits circulating online showcasing the prince at royal functions, playing polo matches, and donning his military uniform, it is evident that he has become a prominent figure not only in Brunei but across the globe.
Image from BBC (Getty Image)
The Islamic marriage ceremony, held on Wednesday, added a touch of solemnity to the extravagant affair. Attended only by male wedding party members, including the prince and his father, the ceremony formalized Prince Mateen’s union with Anisha Rosnah. Citizens lined the capital’s streets as the royal motorcade, carrying the Sultan and Prince Mateen, made its way to a golden-domed mosque for the solemnization. Prince Mateen, clad in a traditional white outfit with a diamond-shaped print headpiece, paid his respects to his father after being bestowed by an imam.
