Prince Mateen and Princess Anisha of Brunei welcome their first child! But here’s the royal catch

Prince Mateen and Princess Anisha of Brunei have welcomed their first child, a daughter, in news that has delighted royal watchers across the world.

An official announcement from the Office of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah confirmed that the baby was safely delivered on 8th February 2026 (Sunday), at Istana Nurul Iman. In keeping with royal custom, cannon shots rang out across the palace grounds, a ceremonial gesture steeped in national tradition and pride.

The arrival of the young princess marks a deeply personal milestone for the couple, who married in an opulent 10-day celebration in January 2024. Since then, Prince Mateen and Princess Anisha have remained among the most closely followed figures in Brunei’s modern royal narrative, admired for their poise and public presence.

While the birth is a moment of great happiness for the family, Brunei’s constitutional framework – specifically the Succession and Regency Proclamation of 1959 – maintains that only male heirs are eligible to enter the line of succession. As such, the newborn will not assume a position within the royal hierarchy.

Prince Mateen, currently fifth in line to the throne, first shared news of the pregnancy late last year in a characteristically understated manner, posting a monochrome photograph accompanied by a simple reflection on the family’s growing future. “And then there were 3 🤲🏽,” the caption said.