Brunei (CU)_ The Sultan of Brunei has now become the longest-reigning monarch in the world after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who was the Queen of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth states for the past 70 years. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has ruled for 54 years and 339 days, since his accession to the throne in 1967. He is four years ahead of Danish Queen Margrethe II, who is currently the second-longest reigning monarch in the world.
Before her untimely death on September 8, Queen Elizabeth II was the world’s longest-reigning monarch. In June, she celebrated her platinum jubilee, marking her 70 years of reign since her crowning in 1952. Reportedly, Bolkiah and the queen had a great friendship with the Sultanate and Britain having a strong bond highlighted by numerous ceremonial events. Several members of the royal family of Brunei also have honorary designations within the British Armed Forces.
Bolkiah was knighted by the queen for his excellent contribution to the country, as well as an honor conferred upon his father. The two monarchs had a close friendship and also met on many occasions in London as well as the capital of Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan. The new monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is now His Majesty King Charles III. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark now became the second-longest reigning living monarch. She succeeded the throne at the age of 25 in February 1952.
The third-longest reigning monarch is King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, who succeeded to the throne when he was 27 following his grandfather’s death in 1973. Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei, holds ultimate control in his kingdom. Hassanal Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III, aged 76, has also served as the Prime Minister of Brunei following the country’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1984.
