Who are Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim's siblings? A look at royal clan to find who is next in line of succession?
Brunei’s Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim died at the age of 38. State broadcaster Radio Television Brunei confirmed the news in an official announcement on Saturday saying: “Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah’s son Prince Haji ‘Abdul 'Azim passed away on 17th of Rabi ul awal (October 24,2020) at 10.08 am local time. The funeral will take place during Asr prayers on Sunday, October 25, evening.” It was reported that the prince had died following a prolong illness. Sources said Prince Azim had been in hospital for a while and his death was announced on radio on Saturday morning.
The sources added that the country will observe a seven-day mourning and everyone is supposed to wear white.The instructions sent out to citizens, according to local reports, reads: “Muslim women are required to wear white tudung or headscarves, and non-Muslims are required to wear a white armband measuring 3” wide.”
Fourth-in-line to succeed the throne of Brunei, Prince Haji ‘Abdul 'Azim was the second born prince of Sultan Hassanal and Pengiran Isteri Hajah Mariam. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is the 29th and current King as well as Prime Minister of Brunei. Born on July 15, 1946, he succeeded to the throne after his father was abdicated in 1967. He married his first cousin and first wife, Queen Saleha, on July 28, 1965. The next successor in line is his eldest son with his first wife, Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, who was born in 1974. Prince Billah is the senior minister at the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei. Next in line is Prince Abdul Malik who was born in 1983. The Sultan and his wife, Queen Saleha, also have four daughters, Princess Rashidah, 51, born in 1969, Princess Muta-Wakkilah, 49, born in 1971 and Princess Majeedah, 44, and Princess Hafizah, 40, born in 1976 and 1980 respectively.
Sultan Hassanal has four children with ex-wife Hajah Mariam. Late Prince ‘Abdul ‘Azim was born in 1982, followed by sisters Azemah Bolkiah, 36, Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah, 35, and Prince Mateen, 29. Hajah Mariam was a former flight attendant for the national carrier, Royal Brunei Airlines. The royal couple divorced in 2003. Sultan Hassanal also has two children from ex-wife Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim. Brother and sister Abdul Wakeel, 14, and Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah, 12, were born in 2006 and 2008 respectively. Mazhar Hakim was a former Malaysian TV3 presenter, she is 33 years younger than the sultan.
Both the ex-wives are stripped of their royal titles. Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim was stripped of her honours, and monthly allowance as well by the Sultan and their divorce was announced on Radio Television Brunei. The descendants of the Sultan still hold their titles.