Princess Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Hassanal Bolkiah is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, 'Azemah Ni'matul. The word "bin"/"ibn" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.
Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah
Azemah in 2024
Born'Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah binti Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah
(1984-09-26) 26 September 1984
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Spouse
​
(m. 2023)​
HouseBolkiah
FatherHassanal Bolkiah
MotherMariam Abdul Aziz
ReligionSunni Islam
Sports career
CountryBrunei
SportPolo
Medal record
SEA Games
2017 Kuala Lumpur Polo tournament
2019 Calatagan Polo tournament
2025 Bangkok Mixed 2-4 Goals
2025 Bangkok Mixed 4-6 Goals

Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah (Jawi: عظيمة نعمة البلقية; born 26 September 1984) is a member of the royal family of Brunei. She is the eighth child of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei by his former second wife, Mariam Abdul Aziz.

Early life

Princess Azemah was born on 26 September 1984 to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and his second wife, Mariam Abdul Aziz.[1] She has three full siblings: Prince Azim, Princess Fadzilah, and Prince Mateen along with eight half siblings from her father's other marriages.[2]

Her parents divorced in February 2003.[3] Shortly after, Princess Azemah wrote into the BruDirect Have Your Say section criticizing people online spreading rumors about the reason for the divorce. "We can take your views but those cruel and heartless comments are tearing me and my brother apart because you are talking about our parents."[4]

Azemah was raised and continues to reside at Istana Nurul Izzah in Kampong Jerudong, Brunei.[5] The palace was built in the mid-1980s for the then Princess Consort Mariam and her children.[6]

Education

Princess Azemah studied at St. Andrew's School in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.[7] In July 2008, she graduated from the University of Warwick in Coventry, United Kingdom with a Bachelor of Laws degree with honors.[8]

Azemah also has two master's degrees. In July 2011, she received a Master of Arts degree in Global Media and Post-national Communications from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London[9] and in January 2014, she received a Master of Arts degree in Geopolitics, Territory, and Security from King's College London.[10]

Marriage

On 4 November 2022, the royal court announced the engagement of Princess Azemah and her first cousin, Prince Bahar ibni Jefri Bolkiah.[11] The couple had been dating for several years and in 2018 they opened an indoor cycling gym called Shine Cycle together.[12][13]

In January 2023, Azemah and Bahar married in a ten day celebration from the 8th to the 17th.[14] The Majlis Istiadat Berbedak Pengantin Diraja or powdering ceremony was held on the 11th at Istana Nurul Iman. Azemah and Bahar wore traditional red outfits and their families applied scented powder and oils to their hands to bless them.[15] The next day was the Majlis Istiadat Akad Nikah Diraja or solemnisation ceremony at Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque where they were officially married.[1] The Majlis Bersanding Pengantin Diraja was on the 15th.[16] The last big event was the Majlis Persantapan Diraja which was a large banquet at Istana Nurul Iman on the 16th.[17] All of the couple's wedding outfits were designed by Bernard Chandran and Princess Azemah wore jewelry including two diamond tiaras loaned from Queen Saleha.[18]

Sports career

Princess Azemah is an avid polo player along with many other members of the Bruneian royal family. She began riding at four years old and did show jumping when she was young but did start polo until she was student at the University of Warwick.[19] She is coached by Castagnola Marianela.[20]

Polo uses mixed gender teams but the sport is still primarily played by men. Princess Azemah hopes to encourage other women to play polo. “Sport has an incredible influence and impact on communities and individuals. You learn to be disciplined and focused. You learn how to win and lose gracefully, and you develop leadership skills, which have benefited me in many other areas of my life. Sports was a gamechanger for me, and I believe that women and girls should have as much opportunity to flourish through sport in as many ways as possible."[19] In December 2021, Azemah was appointed by ASEAN as a Women in Sports Ambassador to promote gender equality and women empowerment through sports.[21] This part of the #WeScore campaign to build on the legacy of the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.[22]

Princess Azemah has represented her country in polo three times in the Southeast Asian Games. All three times she played alongside her brother, Prince Mateen, and her husband, Prince Bahar.[23] At the 2017 SEA Games, the Bruneian national team that included Princess Azemah earned a bronze medal.[24] She became the first female competitor from Brunei to earn a medal.[25] Nearly 3,000 spectators came to watch the match between Brunei and Malaysia.[26] At the 2019 SEA Games, Azemah and the Bruneian team won the silver medal in the low goal division[27] and the bronze medal in the high goal division.[28][29] At the 2025 SEA Games, Azemah and the Bruneian team again earned a silver medal in the low goal division[30] and a bronze medal in the high goal division.[31]

In 2024, Azemah played on the national team at the All Asia Cup in Thailand where they won the silver medal.[32]

In addition to playing for the national team, Princess Azemah plays for Brunei team, a professional polo team that is a subsidiary of MB Polo. They compete at the Torneo Internacional de Polo in Sotogrande, Spain. In, 2016, they won first place in the medium goal division of the Silver Cup.[33] In 2019, they won first place at the Gold Cup in the medium goal division.[34] In 2022, they earned second place at the Silver Cup.[35] In 2025, they won first place in the medium goal divsion of the Silver Cup.[36]

In October 2023, the Brunei team, captained by Princess Azemah, won the first Agong's Cup in Putrajaya, Malaysia. They defeated the Jogo Polo team 7–5.[19] In July 2024, the Brunei team won second place in His Majesty’s Polo Cup in Jerudong, Brunei. They lost to the MB Polo team captained by Prince Mateen.[37]

Princess Azemah also plays at the annual Charity Polo Tournament at the Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club, in Jerudong to raise funds for Pusat Ehsan, a special needs charity founded by her mother.[38]

Royal duties

As a member of the royal family, Princess Azemah regularly participates in incoming state visits to Brunei,[39][40] investiture ceremonies,[41] and National Day celebrations.[42] In July 2024, she traveled to Kuala Lumpur for the installation of Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor as the 17th King of Malaysia.[43]

She has presented Kurnia Peribadi personal gifts during Hari Raya Aidilfitri on behalf of her father. In 2016 and 2017, Azemah issued gifts in the Belait District.[44][45] In 2019, she and her half-sister, Princess Hafizah, attended the ceremony of delivering personal gifts to people in the Brunei–Muara District[46]

Princess Azemah is the Chairperson of The Board of Trustees of Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam, a special needs charity founded by her mother, Mariam Abdul Aziz. Pusat Ehsan is dedicated to offering high-quality training, rehabilitation, and educational opportunities for people with special needs. In 2008 and 2017, she opened the Pusat Ehsan charity bazaar and visited the exhibition booths at the center in Bandar Seri Begawan.[47][48] In July 2017, Azemah opened the center's new rehabilitation block that she had helped fund.[49] In July 2024, she attended the inauguration of Brunei's first special needs school, Sekolah Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam, at Pusat Ehsan.[50]

In 2016, Princess Azemah along with her brother, Prince Mateen, began an annual Charity Polo Day to raise money for Pusat Ehsan. Azemah plays in the polo match and presents the proceeds to representatives from the charity. The inaugural event raised B$ 52,122.[51] She later handed over proceeds of B$53,416 in 2017,[52] B$83,056 in 2019,[53] B$135,819 in 2022,[54] and B$141,685 in 2023.[55]

Princess Azemah often attends fitness and sports related engagements. In 2009, she along with her sister, Princess Fadzilah, and sister-in-law, Crown Princess Sarah, participated in the Setia Motors Netball Open Championship at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex.[56] On 17 April 2016, Princess Azemah joined the Let's Walk/Run Ladies event and presented the awards after at Jerudong Park.[57] On 19 March 2018, she attended and presented the Brunei Ladies Open Champion Trophy to Hong Ran from South Korea.[58]

In 2022, Princess Azemah, Princess Fadzilah, and Prince Mateen collaborated with Progresif Media and Relentless Entertainment to create a documentary called 'Prince Azim: Son of the Arts' about their brother, Prince Azim, who died in 2020.[59] The earnings from screenings of the documentary were presented to four of his favorite charities on 23 July 2022 at Istana Nurul Izzah.[60][61]

Titles, styles, and honours

Styles of
Princess Azemah
Reference styleYang Teramat Mulia
Alternative styleHer Royal Highness

Title and style

Her full title and style is Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Puteri 'Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah binti Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Wad'daulah[62] It is usually translated in English as Her Royal Highness Princess Azemah of Brunei.

Honours

Ancestry

Ancestors of Princess Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah
16. Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin
8. Muhammad Jamalul Alam II
17. Pengiran Siti Fatima
4. Omar Ali Saifuddien III
18. Pengiran Anak Saif ul-Rijal
9. Pengiran Anak Fatima
19. Pian Jamaliah
2. Hassanal Bolkiah
20. Pengiran Muda Besar Omar
10. Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman
21. Pengiran Anak Siti Khadija
5. Pengiran Anak Damit
22. Radin Haji Hassan
11. Pengiran Fatima
23. Hajah Zainab
1. Azemah Bolkiah
6. Haji Awang Abdul Aziz
3. Pengiran Isteri Hajah Mariam
28. Pengiran Munap
14. Pengiran Muhammad Salleh
29. Pengiran Kalsum
7. Pengiran Hajah Rashida
30. Muhammad Ja'afar Muhammad Sa'ad
15. Nursiah Muhammad Ja'afar
31. Siti Rafeah Laut

References

  1. ^ a b "Keluaran Khas: Istiadat Perkahwinan Diraja" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). Ministry of Information. 21 January 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  2. ^ Sunio, Patti (25 January 2022). "Meet Brunei's crazy rich royal siblings: Princess Fadzilah is sister to dashing SEA Games star Mateen, polo playing Azemah and the late Prince Azim". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  3. ^ "Sultan divorces wife No 2". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 February 2003. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  4. ^ "Sultan Bolkiah's daughter hits out at critics". The Star. 8 February 2003. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  5. ^ "Brunei Darussalam Newsletter" (PDF). Department of Information - Prime Minister's Office. 15 March 1995. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  6. ^ Singh, Ranjit; Sidhu, Jatswan (1997). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Scarecrow Press. pp. 85–86. ISBN 0-8108-3276-3.
  7. ^ Iskandar, Rano (3 August 2017). "SAS revisited :D". Rano360. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  8. ^ "HRH Princess 'Azemah graduates". Sultanate News. 19 July 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Royalty at Convocation". Sultanate News. 23 July 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Princess 'Azemah receives Masters of Arts degree in London". Sultanate News. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  11. ^ "January 8 marks start of royal wedding ceremony". Borneo Bulletin. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  12. ^ Cracknell, Kate (1 September 2022). "Shine Brunei". Ride High Magazine. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  13. ^ "Indoor Cycle Design announces opening of Shine Cycle for Brunei's royal family". Business Insider. 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  14. ^ Bridger-Linning, Stephanie (24 January 2023). "First royal wedding of the year! Sultan of Brunei's daughter, Princess Azemah, ties the knot in spectacular fashion". Tatler. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  15. ^ Mohamad, Lyna; Noor, Adib (12 January 2023). "Istiadat Berbedak Pengantin Diraja highlights royal wedding celebration". Borneo Bulletin. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  16. ^ Mahmud, Rokiah (16 January 2023). "Royal tradition on full display". Borneo Bulletin. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  17. ^ Azahari, Izah (17 January 2023). "Grand banquet celebrates royal union". Borneo Bulletin. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  18. ^ Burack, Emily (25 January 2023). "Brunei's Princess Azemah Ties the Knot". Town and Country Magazine. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  19. ^ a b c Jayatilaka, Tania (31 December 2023). ""When our voices join, we become impossible to ignore": Princess Azemah Bolkiah's message for women in polo". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  20. ^ "Q&A – Marianela Castagnola and Princess Azemah". Pololine TV. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  21. ^ "ASEAN Women in Sports Ambassadors". ASEAN Magazine. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  22. ^ "ASEAN appoints ten sports ambassadors to promote gender equality". ASEAN. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  23. ^ "Which Asian royals joined Prince Abdul Mateen at the SEA Games?". South China Morning Post. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  24. ^ Bandial, Ain; Hazair, Hadthiah (9 September 2017). "Bronze medal win at SEA Games spurs young royals to seek further polo glory". The Scoop. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  25. ^ "Not a Woman's Job?: Breaking Barriers in Sports". UN Geneva. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  26. ^ "KL2017: Star-studded polo affair as KJ squares up to Brunei's Princess Azemah". NewStraitsTimes. 22 August 2017.
  27. ^ Yunus, Fadhil (6 December 2019). "Brunei beat Indonesia 8-1 in SEA Games polo". Borneo Bulletin. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  28. ^ Yunus, Fadhil (10 December 2019). "2019 contingent produce best away SEA Games record". Borneo Bulletin. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  29. ^ "Brunei royals flattered as fans travel to Batangas to watch them play polo". GMA News. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  30. ^ "His Majesty attends the 33rd SEA Games final polo match in Thailand". Borneo Bulletin. 11 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  31. ^ Kon, James (20 December 2025). "Brunei secures bronze in 4-6 Goals Polo at SEA Games". Borneo Bulletin. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  32. ^ "Thailand team champions All Asia Cup 2024 trophy". The Nation. 10 February 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  33. ^ "PoloLine TV - Medium Goal Silver Cup Finals Sotogrande - Brunei takes the title home". YouTube. 13 August 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  34. ^ "Brunei claims Medium Goal Gold Cup; Rhone Hill takes Low Goal title". Pololine. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  35. ^ "Jolly Roger the winners of the Terralpa Medium Goal Silver Cup". Pololine. 13 August 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  36. ^ "Brunei claimed medium goal Terralpa Silver Cup". Pololine. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  37. ^ Mohamad, Lyna (14 July 2024). "Royalty grace polo finals". Borneo Bulletin. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  38. ^ "Charity Polo Tournament". Prime Minister's Office. 23 June 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  39. ^ "Red carpet welcome for Malaysian Agong, entourage". Borneo Bulletin. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  40. ^ "Royal audience for Singaporean President". Borneo Bulletin. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  41. ^ "His Majesty confers state decorations". Borneo Bulletin. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  42. ^ "Royalty grace National Day grand assembly". Borneo Bulletin. 25 February 2024. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  43. ^ "Royalty grace Malaysian coronation ceremony". Borneo Bulletin. 21 July 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  44. ^ "His Majesty's Personal Gifts Bring Cheers to Belait Residents". BruDirect. 29 June 2016. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  45. ^ "DAERAH KUALA BELAIT (PUSAT INSANI)". Infofoto Gallery Brunei Darussalam (in Malay). 19 June 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  46. ^ Lim, Daniel; Mohamad, Lyna; Hayat, Hakim (31 May 2019). "More get Sultan's Kurnia". Borneo Bulletin. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  47. ^ Marilyn, P (4 August 2008). "Princess Azemah launches Pusat Ehsan Charity Bazaar". Sultanate News. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  48. ^ Mohamad, Lyna (29 October 2017). "Royalty launches Pusat Ehsan Charity Bazaar". Borneo Bulletin. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  49. ^ Mohamad, Lyna (14 July 2017). "Pusat Ehsan's BND2 million Rehabilitation Block officially opened". Borneo Bulletin. Archived from the original on 22 July 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  50. ^ "Royalty launch Brunei's first special needs school". Borneo Bulletin. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  51. ^ Salam, Hanafi. "A Royal Day Out". Borneo Insider's Guide (July-September 2016).
  52. ^ Mahmud, Rokiah (23 April 2017). "Princess 'Azemah graces charity handover to Pusat Ehsan". Borneo Bulletin. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  53. ^ Hassan, Syahmi (29 May 2019). "Berkenan serah sumbangan". Media Permata (in Malay). Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  54. ^ Matdani, Muiz (19 October 2022). "Lebih $100,000 diserahkan kepada Pusat Ehsan". Media Permata (in Malay). Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  55. ^ "Over BND140,000 raised in Charity Polo 2023". Borneo Bulletin. 14 November 2023. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  56. ^ "Setia Motors Netball Open Championship". Gavin Goh Photography. 27 May 2009. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  57. ^ "HRH Princess 'Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah Joined 'Let's Walk/Run Ladies 2016'". BruDirect. 18 April 2016. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  58. ^ "Brunei Ladies Open Golf Tournament Prize Presentation" (PDF). Brunei Darussalam Newsletter. Vol. 33, no. 3. Department of Information, Prime Minister's Office. 19 March 2022. p. 22.
  59. ^ "Prince Azim – Son of the Arts documentary to premiere 29 July". The Bruneian. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  60. ^ Azahari, Izah (23 July 2024). "Late prince's favourite charities receive funding". Borneo Bulletin. Archived from the original on 23 July 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  61. ^ "The Screening of "Prince Azim: Son of the Arts" Raises $100,000 for Charity". Progresif. 25 July 2022. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  62. ^ Al-Sufri, Jamil (2002). Adat Istiadat Diraja Brunei (in Malay). Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara. p. 8. ISBN 9991734228.
  63. ^ Mohamad, Lyna (12 June 2024). "664 receive state honorary medals". Borneo Bulletin. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  • Media related to Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah at Wikimedia Commons
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.