The History Of Brunei's Royal Family

The name Brunei conjures images of unimaginable wealth, oil and a young royal heartthrob. But few know anything else about this tiny sultanate on Borneo Island and their 600-year-old dynasty. Here’s a quick run-down on Brunei’s Royal Family from their origins to today’s second longest reigning monarch.

House of Bolkiah: A 600-year-old dynasty

Brunei’s Royal Family can trace their lineage back to the 14th century (1368 to be exact). According to some, a Western Bornean Prince became the first sultan. The Bolkiah elders say their lineage traces to Yemen. Since official records began several hundred years later, Brunei’s early history is unknown and exact details are lost to time. What we do know is that Muhammad Shah became the first Sultan of Brunei. This gave birth to a 600-year-old Malay dynasty which saw Brunei grow into an Empire and then lose most of it to colonial powers.

Brunei’s Sultan marked 50 years on the throne with a procession

An empire that became a colony

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s birthday celebrations

Today’s Sultan: Hassanal Bolkiah

Hassanal Bolkiah became the 29th and current Sultan of Brunei in 1967. Building on his father’s development (who commissioned the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque) he transformed Brunei for the second time in just over a century. Flash forward to today and Hassanal Bolkiah features among the world’s wealthiest men. And doesn’t he like to flaunt it! He owns over 7,000 cars, including 600 Rolls Royce’s worth an estimated $4 billion. Not to mention his gold-plated private Boeing 747 (the type of plane we share with 200 other passengers) and the 1,800-room palace in Bandar Seri Begawan. Despite this show of wealth, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah nurtured Brunei’s oil and gas industry, creating an enviably high standard of living. Residents have access to both free education and healthcare while living in a tax-free society. And when the Sultan feels particularly benevolent, he gives Bruneian citizens a cash bonus straight into their bank accounts.

Hassanal Bolkiah: One of the world’s wealthiest men!

Brunei’s version of Prince Harry

Most people know little about Brunei’s Royal Family, but playboy Prince Abdul Mateen is the exception. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s fourth son, the 26-year-old Royal bachelor, holds a special place in the heart of his 950,000 Instagram followers. The sport-loving, polo-playing and helicopter-flying Prince has the singles around the world swooning!

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.