Royalty of Brunei: News & Photos 2

[Blueice]

Originally Posted by Minnie

Hi Blue ice

since i am at this section, I hope i can try to answer from the little that i know of the family (anyone please correct and add to my understanding) . Sarah's father , Abdul Rahaman , is a a minor royal bruneian , remotely related to the sultan and he works with the water dept . Sarah's mum Suzanne Aeby is swiss and works as a nurse in a bruneian hospital. Apparrently the parents met when they were studying in London back in the 70's. Sarah has two siblings - brothers , Irwan and Adrian. (not sure what they are doing). Hope this helps.

From what I know and read from, Sarah's family is rather well to do therefore the match with CP is really a compatible one.

Thanks a lot, Minnie - much appreciated! :) I was rather sceptic upon the first announcement of CP's marriage to such a young person, wondering how a teenage girl would manage the new role and stressful, demanding life style under constant public scrutiny, dealing with all the responsibilities that position implies. Yet, if we can put any trust to available photos, the couple appear genuinely content even radiant on them, as most recently (happily) married couples tend to be.

CP Sarah so far proved to be rather stable, mature and adaptable young lady despite her young age - her posture, calmness and dignity, the way she carries herself - absolutely regal in a natural way, without false pose. She appeared to be in control of the situation and herself all the time, dealing with protocol with ease - without expressing any signs of tension, insecurity or stress. Truly admirable qualities even for a person with much more experience than she has.

Although CP Sarah's mother Swiss origins were no secret, as well as family's relation with Royal Family, I was curious regarding professional background of her parents and siblings - thanks again for the information, it certainly helped :) Regards.

[Humera]

Originally Posted by Blueice

Indeed, thank you for the lovely pictures - apart from not being easy to find many of them, they are very lovely showing two kindly looking young Royals who seem to be a very good match. Would you be so kind to tell us more about CP Sarah's family? Thank you.

Here are a few pictures of CP Sarah's family

[Blueice]

Originally Posted by ~*~Humera~*~

Here are a few pictures of CP Sarah's family

Thanks a lot, Humera - very nice photos indeed. It seems that CP Sarah apparently inherited her kind, calm and agreeable personality from both her parents. The family photo is especially lovely, with so much family warmth. :)

[Zina]

Not many people would know that Sarah has a half-brother from her mother's first marriage, to a Swiss man, and her half-brother also attended the Wedding.

I don't think that Sarah's father came from a particularly wealthy family. He was working in the water works dept. after all.

It's a common misconception that non-Bruneians might have...but the title "Pengiran" is very common here in Brunei, and means that a person is descended from royalty. Considering Brunei's tiny population, and that Brunei has had 29 Sultans...that makes half the country "Pengirans" - and they're usually not any wealthier than the rest of us! It would not be really accurate to say that they are all "relatives" of the Royal Family. Perhaps its more accurate to call them descendants of previous royal generations.

It's a gross exaggeration to say that Sarah's father was a minor "relative" of the Sultan's or that Sarah was a "distant cousin" of the Crown Prince, as according to many articles from outside media. However..They are, of course, related now, because Sarah has married the CP!

[Humera]

Originally Posted by Zina

Not many people would know that Sarah has a half-brother from her mother's first marriage, to a Swiss man, and her half-brother also attended the Wedding.

I don't think that Sarah's father came from a particularly wealthy family. He was working in the water works dept. after all.

It's a common misconception that non-Bruneians might have...but the title "Pengiran" is very common here in Brunei, and means that a person is descended from royalty. Considering Brunei's tiny population, and that Brunei has had 29 Sultans...that makes half the country "Pengirans" - and they're usually not any wealthier than the rest of us! It would not be really accurate to say that they are all "relatives" of the Royal Family. Perhaps its more accurate to call them descendants of previous royal generations.

It's a gross exaggeration to say that Sarah's father was a minor "relative" of the Sultan's or that Sarah was a "distant cousin" of the Crown Prince, as according to many articles from outside media. However..They are, of course, related now, because Sarah has married the CP!

Very interesting insight Zina. But you know how it is in the west, every relation who isnt part of the immediate family is termed a "cousin" here. So that might give a lot of people the wrong impression, especially since marrying a cousin is such a taboo in the west.
I didnt know the CP Sarah's mother had been married before. Do you have any pictures of her son from her first marriage? perhaps attending the wedding?

[Zina]

Originally Posted by ~*~Humera~*~

Very interesting insight Zina. But you know how it is in the west, every relation who isnt part of the immediate family is termed a "cousin" here. So that might give a lot of people the wrong impression, especially since marrying a cousin is such a taboo in the west.
I didnt know the CP Sarah's mother had been married before. Do you have any pictures of her son from her first marriage? perhaps attending the wedding?

Afraid I don't have any photos of Sarah's Swiss relatives who attended the wedding. I recall seeing Sarah's aunty, (Sarah's mother's older sister), uncle and 2 younger male relatives and a young lady. Maybe one of those male relatives was Sarah's half brother. The media , of course would not have mentioned it, and would have labelled him a "cousin" , to cover it up.

I am just speculating however.

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by Zina

Not many people would know that Sarah has a half-brother from her mother's first marriage, to a Swiss man, and her half-brother also attended the Wedding.

I don't think that Sarah's father came from a particularly wealthy family. He was working in the water works dept. after all.

It's a common misconception that non-Bruneians might have...but the title "Pengiran" is very common here in Brunei, and means that a person is descended from royalty. Considering Brunei's tiny population, and that Brunei has had 29 Sultans...that makes half the country "Pengirans" - and they're usually not any wealthier than the rest of us! It would not be really accurate to say that they are all "relatives" of the Royal Family. Perhaps its more accurate to call them descendants of previous royal generations.

It's a gross exaggeration to say that Sarah's father was a minor "relative" of the Sultan's or that Sarah was a "distant cousin" of the Crown Prince, as according to many articles from outside media. However..They are, of course, related now, because Sarah has married the CP!

That's quite an insight Zina about royal titles. Thanks for sharing.

A lot of papers reported about Sarah's dad coming from a well to do family - the media snapshot of CP visiting Sarah's home , presented a rather well furnished decor with a grand piano in the living room and the fact that Sarah's dad studied in UK something in those days must mean something.

Didn't know about Sarah's mum having been married before. How old are Sarah's parent btw?

[Zina]

Originally Posted by Minnie

That's quite an insight Zina about royal titles. Thanks for sharing.

A lot of papers reported about Sarah's dad coming from a well to do family - the media snapshot of CP visiting Sarah's home , presented a rather well furnished decor with a grand piano in the living room and the fact that Sarah's dad studied in UK something in those days must mean something.

Didn't know about Sarah's mum having been married before. How old are Sarah's parent btw?

Sarah's father, Pengiran Salleh, was born 1st June 1950, making him 55 this year. Sarah's mother, Suzanne ,was born 3rd March 1954, making her 51 this year.

That grand house was given to Sarah's family, after they accepted His Majesty the Sultan's proposal for Sarah to marry the Crown Prince. Sarah's family had their phone numbers changed and were immediately moved into that house, where they live today, everything provided for them.

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by Zina

Sarah's father, Pengiran Salleh, was born 1st June 1950, making him 55 this year. Sarah's mother, Suzanne ,was born 3rd March 1954, making her 51 this year.

That grand house was given to Sarah's family, after they accepted His Majesty the Sultan's proposal for Sarah to marry the Crown Prince. Sarah's family had their phone numbers changed and were immediately moved into that house, where they live today, everything provided for them.

Gee......you sure do know a lot about them, Zina. Thanks for sharing really. I mean such information you can hardly read it in magazines or any other media. Really lucky folks Sarah's parents. I wouldn't mind having such a daughter :p . I had initally thought that Sarah's dowry was only a mere $1000 Bn as reported in papers and some other jewelries .

How long did CP know Sarah when he proposed? ehehe. how old's CP's next brother? .

[Humera]

Yes indeed its all very informative Zina. It was incredibly generous of the Sultan to buy CP Sarah's parents a new house. It doesnt happen within other royal families.
In many ways her parents are part of the royal family now and obviously the Sultan would want their privacy preserved just as he guards the privacy of his own family.

[Reina]

That is all so very nice!!!
But was the half-brother rasied in Brunei with his mom, or did he stay in Switzerland? I would prefer the latter since his dad is Swiss.

[Humera]

some pictures from the Sultan's 58th birthday celebrations last year

[kinneret5764]

What is so amazing about the Brunei Royal Court is that it is so colorful. I just love seeing special events in Brunei -such an array of color.

[Reina]

Why was princess Basma of Jordan there?

[alfie]

Originally Posted by Reina

Why was princess Basma of Jordan there?

The Royal Family of Jordan have a very close relationship with the Royal family of Brunei. She attends His Majesty's Birthday every year for a couple of years now. They were also invited to Crown Prince's wedding last year but because of Prince's Ali's of Jordan wedding also falls on the same weekend there couldn't attend.

[Humera]

Originally Posted by alfie

The Royal Family of Jordan have a very close relationship with the Royal family of Brunei. She attends His Majesty's Birthday every year for a couple of years now. They were also invited to Crown Prince's wedding last year but because of Prince's Ali's of Jordan wedding also falls on the same weekend there couldn't attend.

you know I was wondering why no one from the Jordanian royal family attended the wedding of the CP last year. I dont know why I didnt think of Prince Ali's wedding. But Prince Ali's wedding was on Sep 7 and the CP's wedding was on Sep 9 and the banquet was the next day. Someone from the Jordanian royal family could've attended.
There was talk of a private banquet after Prince Ali's wedding eventhough officially he cancelled the big public banquet. Maybe thats why they didn't attend.

[kinneret5764]

Oh dear :



Brunei's royals lose £50m café chain suit
By Jon Ashworth
A BRITISH businessman has won a £50 million legal ruling against members of the Brunei royal family over a failed attempt to launch a popular US coffee chain in the UK.

Mark Burby, a Jersey-based entrepreneur, is threatening to seize personal assets — including works of art and vintage Rolls-Royces — unless the defendants pay up.

NI_MPU('middle');document.write('http://');document.write('&#...207?[/img]');Mr Burby, 37, had been seeking backing for the UK launch of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, a Californian chain that has a cult following in South-East Asia. He was approached by Pengiran Ayub, a cousin of the Sultan of Brunei, and his wife, Pengiran Damit, the Sultan’s sister-in-law, about investing in the venture.

Mr Burby alleges that the money failed to materialise. He first launched legal proceedings in Singapore, where many of the negotiations had been. A judge ruled in favour of the Pengirans, saying the agreement had been between corporate entities, not individuals.

Mr Burby’s company, CBTL Holdings, then launched proceedings against Smart Plus Investment Holdings, registered in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The Pengirans and their business agent, Alice Koo, were named as directors and shareholders of Smart Plus. The BVI High Court has ruled in favour of CBTL and assessed damages at £46.9 million plus costs.

If the damages are not paid, CBTL will seek to have Smart Plus placed in liquidation. The liquidators will have the power to seize personal assets belonging to the directors.

A lawyer for the Pengirans said that the dispute was a matter between companies.

Mr Burby is a well-known personality in Jersey. His helicopter is used for maritime search and rescue and features on the island’s postage stamps.

Mr Burby holds the UK franchise to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf — affectionately known as “The Bean”.

He says the Pengirans approached him in late 2000 with a view to investing £4.5 million (later £7 million) in the venture.

He alleges that the Pengirans and their agent repeatedly reneged on promises to hand over the funds.

Mr Burby said that he had been reassured by the Pengirans’ royal connections. He said: “We’re talking about royals who used their royal status to get us to do business. Then they royally shafted us.”

His expenditure included hiring senior staff, seeking sites and retaining architects.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has outlets in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Mr Burby has promised to pursue the Pengirans “for the rest of my life” if that was what it took to recover the funds. Options include attaching charges to works of art, jewellery and cars. Mr Pengiran is a renowned collector of vintage Rolls-Royces. Mr Burby had hoped to develop The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf as an expansive chain across Britain. Although he still holds the UK franchise, he says that the barriers to entry are too high and that the opportunity has now passed.

[Zina]

Originally Posted by kinneret5764

Oh dear :



Brunei's royals lose £50m café chain suit
By Jon Ashworth
A BRITISH businessman has won a £50 million legal ruling against members of the Brunei royal family over a failed attempt to launch a popular US coffee chain in the UK.

Mark Burby, a Jersey-based entrepreneur, is threatening to seize personal assets — including works of art and vintage Rolls-Royces — unless the defendants pay up.

NI_MPU('middle');document.write('');document.write('http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/ad/busi...1107785199207?');Mr Burby, 37, had been seeking backing for the UK launch of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, a Californian chain that has a cult following in South-East Asia. He was approached by Pengiran Ayub, a cousin of the Sultan of Brunei, and his wife, Pengiran Damit, the Sultan’s sister-in-law, about investing in the venture.

Hmm..have never heard of these Pengirans. I don't believe they are related to the Sultan at all. The facts don't add up. If they were close relatives, they would have higher titles...There are thousands of people with Pengiran titles in Brunei. If Pengiran Damit is the Sultan's sister-in-law, which brother is she married to? How can she be HM's sister-in-law if she is married to HM's cousin?

There have been many cases of people trying to pass themselves off as royalty to do business. Our local newspapers recently carried a story of a similar case.