For the Commonwealth Summit, Brunei’s Sultan sends his 24-year-old son

The tenth child of the Sultan of Brunei has been sent to Malta to take part in the Commonwealth Summit.

24-year-old Prince Abdul Mateen, described by international press as “a keen footballer”, has been in Malta for over two weeks already. Not short of cash, the Prince has reportedly booked two whole floors at the Radisson Golden Sands.

The Prince has played for the Bruneian football team AM Gunners. Following in the footsteps of Prince Harry, he also enrolled to study at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

In 2011, The Brunei Times duly reported how the Crown Prince’s graduation from the Royal Military Academy was “a proud moment at Sandhurst”.

“His Royal Highness is also active in charitable works,” limited information found online reveals.

Sultan Hassanai Bolkiah has ruled over the tiny oil-rich country of Brunei since 1967, succeeding his father. One of the world’s wealthiest men, the Sultan made headlines last year when he announced that he would phase in sharia law, that calls for homosexuals and adulterers to be stoned to death. 

Theft is now punishable by flogging and the severing of limbs, and failure to attend Friday prayers is punishable by fines or imprisonment. 

“Theory states that Allah’s law is cruel and unfair but Allah himself has said that his law is indeed fair,” the Sultan said in response to criticism.