At 76 years old, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei is now the longest reigning head of state in the world. He has been on the throne since 1967.
He is also one of the richest men on the planet. Thanks to the oil and gas of his small kingdom, his personal fortune is estimated at 18 billion dollars. Holder of all the powers, he rules his country with an iron fist. A follower of a rigorous Islam, his 440,000 subjects are subject to Sharia law.
Next January, the Sultan will marry off one of his seven daughters, Princess Azemah, to his nephew. Before the wedding, the Sultan’s daughter and her son-in-law will each have a series of lavish ceremonies in the most beautiful residences of the country. They will meet at the powder ceremony at the Sultan’s palace, Istana Nurul Iman. Worthy of a fairy tale, all of its 1788 rooms and 257 golden bathrooms are adorned with precious stones.
The official ceremony will take place in the throne room and will end in the evening with a royal banquet. 2000 of the world’s most select guests will be present. As a welcome gift, they will receive diamond-encrusted jewelry. In attendance will be the Princess’s younger brother, Prince Mateen. The darling of the kingdom, he has become one of the most coveted bachelors in the world. An exclusive look at the most secretive, the richest and the strictest sultanate in the world.