Prince Mateen of Brunei

Prince Mateen of Brunei
Abdul Mateen ibni Hassanal Bolkiah (Jawi: عبد المتين; born 10 August 1991) is a member of the royal family of Brunei. He is the tenth child and fourth son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, by his former second wife, Puan Hajah Mariam binti Haji Abdul Aziz.
Education
Prince Mateen received his primary education at the St. Andrew's School in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. He continued his secondary education at the Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College and Jerudong International School, both of which are the top schools in Brunei.
In July 2014, Prince Mateen received his Bachelor of Arts degree in international politics from King's College London at the Barbican Centre in London. In July 2016, Prince Mateen was awarded a Master of Arts degree in international studies and diplomacy from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
Career
Military career
On 9 May 2010, Prince Mateen began his Commissioning Course for Regular Army Officers along with 200 recruits in Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. On 15 April 2011, Prince Mateen graduated from the commissioning course as an officer cadet of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, United Kingdom and promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant. According to a Borneo Bulletin report, Mateen was promoted to a rank of a Substantive Lieutenant later on 9 July 2012. His promotion ceremony to Acting Captain was held on 31 August 2016 and would come into effect on 9 May later that year. On 28 April 2017, he completed a seven-month Elementary Flying Training at RAF Cranwell, and later in March 2018, Prince Mateen was qualified as a helicopter pilot in Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury, in which his father awarded him his flying brevet (wings). On 30 June 2019, as part of the celebrations honoring the 58th anniversary of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), his father gave his permission to grant him honorary membership in the Special Forces Regiment.
On 20 May 2021, Prince Mateen was promoted to the rank of Major. Later that year, Prince Mateen had undergone the The All Arms Commando Course (AACC) at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in the United Kingdom for eleven weeks from the 20th of September to the 2nd of December, where he received the Green Beret. The RAF reported that he had spent the previous two weeks training alongside 64 other new parachutists. Once he completed the Basic Parachute Training on 23 September 2022, the award ceremony was held at RAF Brize Norton.
Diplomatic career
Following leaders' bilateral meetings in Amman on 4 October 2018, which saw the signing of three memorandum of understanding in the areas of infrastructure, tourism, and defense in addition to a customs cooperation agreement, Brunei and Jordan reaffirmed their longstanding alliance. The negotiations were held at Al-Husseinieh Palace with participation from senior cabinet members from both nations as well as Prince Mateen and Crown Prince Al Hussein. Later on 19 October, him alongside his father attended the 12th Asia–Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Brussels, where Brunei demanded that talks to get back up a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union (EU) and ASEAN.
On 22 October 2019, saw the culmination of Japan's Emperor Naruhito's succession to the Chrysanthemum throne in a ceremony that embodied the majesty and traditions of a 2,000-year-old monarchy. Him alongside his father attended the rituals, which marked the culmination of a transition that began with his father's abdication earlier that year. Later on 3 November, the 35th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits' Opening Ceremony was attended by both father and son at Muang Thong Thani. On 19 September 2022, he and his father were present at Westminster Abbey for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's state burial.
From 13 to 14 March 2023, Prince Mateen took part in a comprehensive tour of the Coronado, California-based Naval Special Warfare (NSW) commands. He met with members of NSW and Rear Admiral Keith B. Davids, chief of Navy Special Warfare Command, to talk about potential areas of future cooperation. A description of the human performance program at NSWG-1 was also given to him. The program employs a holistic approach to coordinate resources for the best performance and recovery. It includes strength and conditioning training, sports medicine, performance psychology, performance nutrition, and research and technologies related to human performance. Once again along with his father, he went to the signing of the marriage contract, the royal solemnization ceremony, and the feast and celebration held in honor of Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Rajwa Khalid Alseif's royal wedding on 1 June.
Sports career
Prince 'Abdul Mateen has represented his country in polo at the 2017 and 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Nearly 3,000 spectators came to watch the polo game between Brunei and Malaysia during the 2017 SEA Games, with notably him and his sister, Princess Azemah facing off Malaysian Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
On 7 April 2007, the AM Gunners captained by Abdul Mateen ended in a 1–1 draw against team Projek Ikan Pusu (PIP) during a Charity football match. The match which took place at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium collected a total of B$12,192. A charity match between Mateen-led AM Gunners and Sport School was again held at the same location on 22 March 2008.
Personal life
Prince Abdul Mateen and Anisha Rosnah binti Adam's royal wedding was declared on Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's orders. On 7 January 2024, Majlis Istiadat Bersuruh Diraja will mark the beginning of the royal wedding. Anisha Rosnah is the granddaughter of Pehin Dato Isa who is the special advisor to the Sultan of Brunei. The celebration will last for ten days and include a number of religious ceremonies.
His residence is located at Istana Nurul Izzah, Jerudong.
Honours
Order of the Crown of Brunei (DKMB)
Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang First Class (DPKT) – Dato Paduka Seri
Hassanal Bolkiah Sultan Medal (PHBS)
Golden Jubilee Medal – (5 October 2017)
Silver Jubilee Medal – (5 October 1992)
National Day Silver Jubilee Medal – (23 February 2009)
General Service Medal (Armed Forces)
Royal Brunei Armed Forces Golden Jubilee Medal – (31 May 2011)
Honorary Member of the Special Forces Regiment – (30 June 2019)
Ancestry
References
External links
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1991 births
Living people
Bruneian people of Arab descent
Bruneian people of Japanese descent
Bruneian people of English descent
Alumni of King's College London
Alumni of SOAS University of London
Bruneian royalty
Bruneian polo players
SEA Games medalists for Brunei
SEA Games medalists in polo
Competitors at the 2017 SEA Games
Competitors at the 2019 SEA Games
Graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Helicopter pilots
Sons of monarchs
Members of the Privy Council of Brunei