Congratulations are in order for the royal family of Brunei! Prince Abdul Mateen and his wife, Princess Anisha, welcomed their first child on 8 February – and have announced the baby’s gender via the national public broadcaster, RTB News.
A message posted on RTB’s official Instagram on Sunday read: In compliance with the orders of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Office of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, hereby announces that His Royal Highness Princess Anisha Rosnah binti Adam, wife of His Royal Highness Prince Muda ‘Abdul Mateen ibni His Royal Highness Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, with the permission of Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala, has safely given birth to a daughter on Sunday, 20th, Syaaban, 1447 corresponding to 8th, February, 2026, at 8.50 am.”
The message also revealed how the birth was celebrated: “Following this release, 17 cannon shots were fired in the grounds of Istana Nurul Iman.”
The news comes after Brunei’s Prince Mateen and Princess Anisha Rosnah announced they were expecting their first baby last October. The pair did so by sharing a black and white photograph of them holding hands on a balcony on the Sultan of Brunei’s son’s Instagram account.
Princess Anisha, 30, sported a floaty white button-down dress and held her other hand on her blossoming bump. “And then there were 3,” the Prince captioned the image.
Where is the new baby in the line of succession?
Prince Abdul Mateen and Princess Anisha’s daughter is a special addition to their family, but she does not feature in the line of succession. This is a result of the country’s constitution and succession laws, which state that the monarch must be a male, Muslim, and a direct descendant in the male line.
As the Sultan’s fifth son, Prince Mateen himself is behind several of his male relatives – his brother Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, Al-Muhtadee Billah’s sons, Prince Abdul Muntaqim and Prince Muhammad Aiman, and Mateen’s second-oldest brother, Prince Abdul Malik.
Prince Abdul Mateen and Princess Anisha’s perfect wedding
The couple tied the knot in 2024 in a splendid ten-day celebration, which culminated with a ceremony at the Sultan’s official residence, Istana Nurul Iman, in Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Alongside government leaders, guests included Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema.
© IQBAL SELAMATThe main reception, which took place after the exchange of religious vows at Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, took place at the Istana Nurul Iman palace, where the guests sat down for a decadent banquet. Meanwhile, on 14 January, a royal carriage procession took place, allowing thousands of Brunei citizens to witness the couple traveling through the capital city.
© GettyWhile the prince donned his military uniform, the bride was picture-perfect in a long-sleeved gown and a tiara that featured 838 diamonds and was previously worn by Prince Mateen’s sister, Princess Azemah, in 2023.
The couple’s origin story
Having begun his education in Brunei, the groom later moved to London to study international politics at King’s College London, as well as a master’s from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.
© IQBAL DATO HJ SELAMATHe and Anisha are said to have started dating in 2018, although they kept a low profile until the day of their wedding. Anisha, who runs a silk garment company and bespoke travel agency, was born in London.
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