Sarah, Crown Princess Of Brunei

Sarah binti Salleh Ab. Rahaman ( Jawi: سارة; born 9 April 1987) is the wife of the Crown Prince of Brunei, Al-Muhtadee Billah and born as the daughter of a distant member of the royal family. While attending a pre-university course at 17, she married the Crown Prince. The couple have four children.

Early life and education

She was born ''Dayangku Sarah binti Pengiran Salleh Ab. Rahaman'' at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital in Bandar Seri Begawan, on 9 April 1987, as the third child and only daughter of Pengiran Salleh Ab. Rahaman Pengiran Damit and Rinawaty Abdullah (''née'' Suzanne Aeby). Her father (born 1 June 1950) is a distant member of the royal family and worked as the chief laboratory assistant at the Water Services Division in the Public Works Department. Her mother (born 3 March 1954 in Fribourg, Switzerland) is a nurse who worked in Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital. Her parents met in the United Kingdom in the 1970s while studying. Her two elder brothers are Awangku Irwan and Awangku Adrian.

At the age of six, Dayangku Sarah started attending St. Andrew's School for her early education in 1993. She earned a passing grade on the primary certificate of education in 1998. At Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College (MSPSBS), she proceeded with her studies, finishing the lower secondary assessment in 2001 and the Brunei–GCE Ordinary Level in 2003. Al-Muhtadee Billah had previously attended the same college where Dayangku Sarah was enrolled in her pre-university studies in 2004. She studied French in addition to her core disciplines. She also played basketball, and participated in charity runs. Between 7 and 23 May 2002, she traveled to China and Mongolia with her parents and brother on a four-wheel drive international trip. In 2004, she and her college peers participated in a study program at the Belalong Rainforest Field Studies Centre during their school breaks.

In February 2009, Pengiran Anak Sarah became a member of the university's army cadets group, joining the women's platoon when the university formed its first group of army cadets. She was named the university's netball team's "most valuable player" in February 2010 after scoring 67 goals and making the final three baskets at the third Ministry of Education Netball Championship, which was played in the Multipurpose Hall of Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium. In November 2009, her performance in the third year of the Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy and Administration (English Stream) program earned her one of 140 Book Prizes. Pengiran Anak Sarah graduated with first-class honours at the 22nd convocation of UBD on 30 September 2010, where she was among the 1,114 graduates receiving their degrees in the presence of the sultan and other members of the royal family. She later remarked that transitioning from a science background to one in policy and administration was "extremely tough."

On 17 April 2011, Pengiran Anak Sarah participated in UBD's Jogathon 2011, supporting the female student category. Later, on 29 September, she completed her master's degree in Public Policy in English Medium at the 23rd Convocation of UBD.

Marriage and children

On 9 September 2004, while still attending MSPSBS, she married 30-year-old Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, at the age of 17. The event took place at Istana Nurul Iman. Guests included the Duke of Gloucester, the Crown Prince of Japan, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, Princes Bandar bin Sultan and Saud bin Faisal of Saudi Arabia, the King of Bahrain, and several Malaysian sultans. The wedding was also attended by heads of state and government from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The wedding included a ''bersanding'' ceremony, and a drive around Bandar Seri Begawan in a golden-topped Rolls-Royce.

The royal couple have four children. Their first child and future heir to the Brunei throne, Pengiran Muda Abdul Muntaqim, was born on 17 March 2007 at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital. Their second child, a daughter, Pengiran Anak Muneerah Madhul Bolkiah, was born on 2 January 2011. Pengiran Anak Sarah gave birth to their third child and second son, Pengiran Muda Muhammad Aiman on 7 June 2015. Their fourth child and second daughter, Pengiran Anak Faathimah Az-Zahraa' Raihaanul Bolkiah, was born at 15:54, on 1 December 2017.

Charity work

Pengiran Anak Sarah has been involved in various charitable causes and community initiatives. At the launch of the Anti-Corruption Bureau's drama ''Code 486'' on 2 April 2006, she emphasised that corruption is a country's internal enemy and urged young people to embrace patriotic ideals and refrain from anti-social behaviours. Her message highlighted the importance of integrity and social responsibility in building a stronger nation. Additionally, at the inauguration of the 6th International School Brunei (ISB) Borneo Global Issues Conference (BGIC) on 1 March 2008, she stressed the significance of young people's involvement in addressing global challenges, particularly environmental issues, and advocated for their active participation in finding solutions to these pressing problems, underscoring their vital role in shaping the future.

On 17 May 2012, during the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day ceremony in Brunei, Pengiran Anak Sarah presented simulated certificates for ICT training to women's associations, aiming to enhance their technological skills, a crucial area for personal and professional growth in the modern world. On 11 May 2013, she presided over the launch of Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam's ALAF program, a corporate social responsibility initiative dedicated to providing education to impoverished and orphaned children in Brunei, reflecting her commitment to supporting underprivileged communities. Pengiran Anak Sarah's dedication to youth development was further demonstrated on 10 March 2017, when she emphasised the importance of investing in young people for a sustainable future. At the 13th ISB BGIC, she highlighted the need for responsible development to address challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change, while also supporting the development of essential life skills such as communication, negotiation, and global awareness.

On 26 May 2023, Pengiran Anak Sarah visited an exhibition during the opening of the Children's Cancer Foundation centre, where she accepted a drawing from a young cancer survivor, demonstrating her ongoing support for children's health and well-being. In addition to her charitable efforts, she has actively participated in sporting events. On 4 August 2024, she competed in the 5th Borneo Run Half Marathon, racing in the women's open division and covering a distance of 21.18 kilometres, before awarding prizes to the winners. Later, on 3 November 2024, she presented prizes at the VA Run, recognising the winners of the 10 km male and female open categories and supporting Team Peak in placing second in the Corporate 10 km category.

Pengiran Anak Sarah is the royal patron of several organisations, including the Brunei Ladies Golf Association and the ISB BGIC.

Titles, styles and honours

Titles and styles

She is referred to by government media and English-language publications in the country as the wife of the Crown Prince, rather than Crown Princess (''Puteri Mahkota''). The title "Pengiran Anak Isteri" (Princess consort) is given to the wife of a prince.

* 9 April 1987 – 9 September 2004:
* Since 9 September 2004:

Things named after her

* Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah Mosque, a mosque in Kampong Sungai Kelugos.

Honours

National

* Order of Laila Utama First Class (DK; 15 July 2005) – ''Dato Laila Utama''

Foreign

* :
** Grand Cordon of the Order of the Star of Jordan (13 May 2008)
* :
** Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown (21 January 2013)
** Recipient of the King Willem-Alexander Inauguration Medal (30 April 2013)

References

External links

Fribourg

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1987 births
Bruneian people of Swiss descent
Living people
Bruneian royalty
Recipients of the Order of the Crown (Netherlands)
Grand Crosses of the Order of the Crown (Netherlands)
Bruneian princesses