A royal baby in Brunei

Prince Abdul Mateen and Princess Anisha have welcomed their first child. 

The country of Brunei Darussalam was overjoyed yesterday at the news that Prince Abdul Mateen and Princess Anisha have welcomed their first child. The couple announced their pregnancy via Instagram last October. The unnamed baby girl is the world’s newest Princess.

An announcement from the Office of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah yesterday stated:

Her Royal Highness Princess Anisha Rosnah binti Adam, wife of His Royal Highness Prince Muda ‘Abdul Mateen ibni (…), has safely given birth to a Princess on Sunday, 20th of Syaaban 1447 corresponding to 8th of February 2026 at 8.50 in the morning. To mark the birth, a 17 gun salute was fired from the compound of Istana Nurul Iman [official residence of the Sultan].

Prince Abdul Mateen, 34, is the fourth son and tenth child of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. The Prince is fifth in the line of succession. Abdul Mateen attended King’s College London, later receiving a Masters of Arts in International Studies and Diplomacy from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, in July 2016. The Prince has a distinguished career in the Royal Bruneian Armed Forces, notably as a helicopter pilot and parachutist. Prince Abdul Mateen also attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He is also an avid polo player.

Anisha Rosnah binti Adam, 31, was born in November 1994 in London. Princess Anisha comes from a prominent family in Brunei, which includes former Prime Ministers and a special advisor to the Sultan. Anisha attended the Creating Jerudong International School as well as the University of Bath. The Princess was also the owner of a silk clothing brand and co-owner of a travel agency.

The couple are said to have been friends since childhood. The relationship flourished over time, and it’s reported that their romance started around 2018. Abdul Mateen and Anisha announced their engagement in October 2023. The two held a ten-day lavish wedding ceremony in Bandar Seri Begawan from the 7th to the 16th January, 2024. The ceremonies were attended by members of the royal families, including the King and Queen of Bhutan, and many leading figures.

Today, the couple carry out various royal duties supporting Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and the royal family. Prince Adbul Mateen is seen accompanying the Sultan on many engagements and foreign trips. The Prince most recently travelled with His Majesty on a state visit to Vietnam in November/December 2025.

The newest Princess of the world will not be in the Bruneian line of succession. This is due to the country’s agnatic primogeniture. The muslim majority country follows a male-only succession, excluding women.