History: His Majesty's early stages

His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was born on Monday, 15 Sya'aban 1365 corresponding to 15th July 1946 at Istana Darussalam, Kampong Sumbiling, Brunei Town (presently known as Bandar Seri Begawan) at the time when Brunei was governed by British Military Administration.

His Royal Highess was awarded the title of wazir as Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuara by Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Akhazul Khairi Waddin on 18th July 1947.

Istana Darussalam bulit by Almarhum Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin

During the time when His Majesty was born, Brunei was experiencing hardship as a result of the Japanese military occupation for almost three and a half years. Hardship, however, was an inspiration and a lesson for His Majesty to prepare himself in leading the country towards development and progress.

His Majesty was given private tuition at the palace, and for formal education, His Majesty studied at Sekolah Melayu Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam, Brunei Town; Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur; and Maktab Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien (SOAS college), Brunei town.

Class photo of His Majesty studied at Sekolah Melayu Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam (SM SMJA)

On 14th August 1961, His Majesty was installed as Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota (The Crown Prince).

Later His Majesty attended a military course at the Royal Military Academy College, Sandhurst, United Kingdom, before His Majesty was installed, as the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam in 1967. This was an early preparation given to His Majesty in equipping himself before shouldering responsibilities as leader of a nation.

The Proclamation Ceremony as the Sultan of Brunei of His Majesty was held at Istana Darul Hana, Brunei Town, on 5th October 1967. It was the comnencing moment of His Majesty's appearance as leader of Brunei Darussalam.


These historical episodes followed the proclamation of His Majest's beloved father, Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, who had vlountarily abdicated from the throne, on the day before; 4th October 1967, at Istana Darul Hana, Brunei Town at 10.00 a.m As stated in the titah of His Majesty's father:

"Warkatul Ikhlas Watahfatuleinas, from my most sincere heart and with the best of intentions, i, Sir, Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, the sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of the State of Brunei, do hereby declare to the citizens and people of Brunei that I hereby declare my intention to the Government, citizens and people of Brunei that on my own free-will am now abdicate from the throne on this day of Wednesday, 1 Rajab 1387, the fourth day of October, 1967 and that is declared intention to abdicate is final and irrevocable.
I would like to emphasis again that my decision to abdicate from the throne has been made on my own free-will"

The translated speech (Titah) of His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Maulana Al-Sultan Sir Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien.

To confirm the situation, Radio Brunei which functioned as a Government media, had explained to the citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam that Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, according to Chapter 19 of the Proclamation of Succession and the Installation of King 1959, proclamied that the intention of Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien to abdicate from the throne was irrevocable. The Chief Minister, Dato Marsal bin Maun in his message had advised the citizens and residents of the state to always give their undivided loyalty to the new Sultan.

Therefore the Proclamation Ceremony of his Majesty was held at Istana Darul Hana on 5th October 1967, attended by members of the Succession Council, Wazirs, Cheterias, Pehins, the Chief Minister and State Secretary. After the coronation Ceremony His Majesty delivered his first titah:

"Verily with a very disturbed heart and a heartrending shock, my heartfelt thanks to Allah Subhannahu wa Ta'ala, the Al-Mighty, invocation and greetings to the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam, and his companions with a sincere and heatwarming acceptance to my dear beloved father Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien, verily y heart however happy and sad as I am by this proclamation, yet there is sorrow for the abdication from the throne of my beloved father, loved by all levels of citizens and the residents of this beloved Brunei Darussalam"

The translated speech (Titah) of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

Nearly a year later, on 1st August 1968, the following Customary Coronation Ceremony was held so as to complete His Majesty's installation as the Sultan and the Ruler of Brunei Darussalam. Before the ceremony, His Majesty's father had arranged a Royal customs and Traditions ceremony, preparing and repairing Royal Regalia to be used in the ceremony. Besides that, the ceremony of bestowing title on stage dignitaries who also performed in this Coronation Ceremony, His Majesty's father placed the crown on His Majesty's head and the 'Keris Si-Naga' was slipped into his waistband as a symbol of sovereignty of a Monarch.

After the Coronation Ceremony at Lapau ended, His Majesty then was celebrated in a royal procession around Brunei Town escorted by His Majesty's father, Wazirs, Cheterias and Pehin Manteries. The Coronation Ceremony is to be held only for the installment of a new Sultan. This historical evidence, the beginning of an era of His Majesty's leadership as a sovereign monarch and caliph of Allah on Brunei Darussalam and performing the duties and responsibilities as a Sultan.

Since 1967 until today, various efforts have been implemented by the Government of His Majesty in caring and taking care the welfare and needs of the citizens as acknowledged by the nation's leader.

On 5th October 1992, the celebration of the Silver Jubliee of the Accession to the Throne of His Majesty was in glorious colourful events.

On 5th October 1992, Bandar Seri Begawan