Portrait of Princess Maria-Nives von der Leyen and Prince Georg of Liechtenstein courtesy of Schloss Vaduz/ZVG
In Vaduz, the Fürstenhaus Liechtenstein has announced the engagement of His Serene Highness Prince Georg of Liechtenstein to Princess Maria-Nives von der Leyen.
Born on April 20th, 1999, in Grabs, Switzerland, Prince Georg of Liechtenstein is the third child of His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Alois and Her Royal Highness Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein and the grandson of His Serene Highness Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein.
After attending Ebenholz Primary School in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, and the International School Rheintal in Switzerland, he completed his secondary education at Malvern College in England. He then studied at the University of St. Gallen and at ESCP Business School in Turin and Berlin, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Management in 2023. He currently works in business development in the technology sector in New York.
Born on February 13th, 2001, in Landsberg am Lech, Germany, Princess Maria-Nives is the youngest daughter of Philipp Prince and Princess Elisabeth von der Leyen.
After attending the International School Augsburg, she completed her secondary education at the Klessheim Tourism School near Salzburg.
Princess Maria-Nives then studied at the University of West London, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. After working for two years in Berlin, she has been employed by a marketing agency in Vienna since the end of 2024.
The upcoming princely wedding of His Serene Highness Prince Georg of Liechtenstein and Princess Maria-Nives von der Leyen is expected to take place in Germany in late summer 2027.
In Oslo, the Royal Court of Norway announced that His Majesty King Harald V of Norway passed away peacefully at 6:35 a.m. at Rikshospitalet. He was 89 years old.
The King had been admitted to the hospital on Monday, Aug. 17th, following a medical examination. In the weeks before his admission, he had been receiving cortisone treatment for hemolytic anaemia. The treatment caused fluid accumulation in his body and required hospital care.
On Sunday, Aug. 23rd, the Royal Court announced that the King’s health had deteriorated over the weekend. He was receiving antibiotics for a bacterial infection in his bloodstream. The Royal House said at the time that he had responded to treatment and that his condition was stable.
On Thursday, Aug. 27th, the Royal Court announced that the King’s condition had deteriorated further and described it as “very serious.”
Following the King’s death, Crown Prince Haakon acceded to the throne. During an extraordinary Council of State meeting at the Royal Palace in Oslo, he announced that he would reign as His Majesty King Haakon VIII of Norway and retain the motto Alt for Norge (All for Norway).
King Haakon VIII, with Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway at his side, formally informed the Council of State of his father’s death.
“Prime Minister and Ministers,
It is my duty to inform the Council of State that my dear father, His Majesty King Harald V, died today, 28 August 2026, at 06:35, and that in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, I have assumed the government as King of Norway.
I will take the name Haakon VIII and will continue the same motto that my father, grandfather and great-grandfather chose: ‘Alt for Norge.’”
King Haakon VIII is scheduled to take the constitutional oath before the Storting on Tuesday, Sept. 1st, at 1 p.m.
Article 9 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Norway provides that the King must promise and swear to govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its Constitution and laws.
If the Storting is not sitting when the King assumes the throne, the oath is submitted in writing during a Council of State meeting and repeated solemnly before the Storting at its first subsequent session.
With the constitutional succession now underway, the Kingdom of Norway is preparing to bid farewell to one of the longest-serving monarchs in its modern history. His Majesty King Harald V’s life was shaped by war, exile, duty, family, sport and an unwavering commitment to his country.
The King’s Life
Born Prince Harald on Feb. 21st, 1937, at Skaugum, outside Oslo, he was the only son of Crown Prince Olav, later King Olav V, and Crown Princess Märtha of Norway. He was also the grandson of King Haakon VII.
For his first few years, Prince Harald lived a relatively peaceful life with his elder sisters, Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid. That peace ended on April 9, 1940, when Nazi Germany invaded the Kingdom of Norway.
The royal family was forced to leave the country. Crown Princess Märtha took Prince Harald and his sisters first to Sweden and later to the United States, where they spent much of the Second World War in exile.
The Kingdom of Norway was liberated on May 8th, 1945. One month later, on June 7th, 8-year-old Prince Harald returned to Oslo with King Haakon VII, his mother and his sisters. They were welcomed by Crown Prince Olav and large crowds of Norwegians.
That homecoming became one of the defining experiences of Prince Harald’s childhood.
Prince Harald later attended schools in Oslo, received military training and studied political science, economics and history at Balliol College, University of Oxford.
On Sept. 21st, 1957, King Haakon VII died. Prince Harald became Crown Prince of Norway, while his father acceded to the throne as King Olav V of Norway.
As Crown Prince, Harald gradually assumed official responsibilities and represented the Kingdom of Norway at home and abroad.
On Aug. 29th, 1968, Crown Prince Harald married Miss Sonja Haraldsen at Oslo Cathedral. Their marriage was regarded as a significant moment for the Norwegian monarchy because Miss Haraldsen came from outside a royal or aristocratic family.
The couple had two children: Princess Märtha Louise and Prince Haakon, later Crown Prince Haakon.
Crown Prince Harald became King of Norway on Jan. 17th, 1991, following the death of his father. Four days later, on Jan. 21st, he swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the Kingdom of Norway.
On June 23rd, 1991, King Harald V and Queen Sonja were consecrated at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. He adopted the same motto as his father and grandfather: Alt for Norge.
Throughout his life, King Harald V was known for his love of sailing and the outdoors. He represented Norway at three Olympic Games and continued to compete in sailing events for many years.
For more than three decades, King Harald V served as Norway’s head of state. His reign was marked by a steady public presence, a close connection with the Norwegian people, and a deep sense of duty to his country.
King Harald V’s final public appearance was on July 13th, 2026, when he hosted a reception for the Norwegian Men’s National football team in the Small Banqueting Hall at the Royal Palace in Oslo. The reception followed the team’s historic World Cup achievement.
King Harald V is survived by his wife, Queen Sonja, their daughter, Princess Märtha Louise, their son, King Haakon VIII, his five grandchildren; and his sister, Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner.
King Harald V’s life spanned war and peace, exile and royal service. At the centre of it all was the promise expressed in his royal motto Alt for Norge.
This afternoon in Oslo, the Royal Court of Norway issued a press release regarding the health of His Majesty King Harald V of Norway.
His Majesty the King’s health deteriorated over the weekend. The King is receiving antibiotics for a bacterial infection in his blood and has responded to this treatment.
The situation is stable. The King remains at Rikshospitalet and is on sick leave until further notice.
On August 17th, His Majesty the King was admitted to Rikshospitalet in Oslo following a medical examination.
The 89-year-old King had been receiving cortisone for hemolytic anemia in recent weeks. The Royal Court stated that the treatment had led to fluid accumulation in his body, which required treatment in hospital.
King Harald V had initially been placed on sick leave for two weeks.
The hospitalization came after King Harald V was admitted to hospital while on a private holiday in Tenerife on February 23rd, 2026. At the time, the King was treated for an infection and dehydration at Hospital Universitario Hospiten Sur in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. His condition was described as good under the circumstances.
King Harald V has experienced several health-related hospitalizations in recent years. In February 2024, he was admitted to hospital while vacationing with Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway on the island of Langkawi, Malaysia, after developing a serious infection. During that hospitalization, he received a temporary pacemaker because of a low heart rate.
The King returned to Norway after being medically evacuated from Malaysia and has continued to carry out his constitutional duties, although his health has required periodic medical treatment and periods of sick leave.
The Royal Court of Norway announced that His Majesty King Harald V of Norway was admitted this afternoon to Rikshospitalet in Oslo following a medical examination.
The 89-year-old King has been receiving cortisone for hemolytic anemia in recent weeks. The Royal Court stated that the treatment has led to fluid accumulation in his body, which requires treatment in hospital.
King Harald will be on sick leave for two weeks. During this period, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway will serve as Regent.
The hospitalization comes after King Harald V was admitted to hospital while on a private holiday in Tenerife on February 23rd, 2026. At the time, the King was treated for an infection and dehydration at Hospital Universitario Hospiten Sur in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. His condition was described as good under the circumstances.
King Harald V has experienced several health-related hospitalizations in recent years. In February 2024, he was admitted to hospital while vacationing with Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway on the island of Langkawi, Malaysia, after developing a serious infection. During that hospitalization, he received a temporary pacemaker because of a low heart rate.
The King returned to Norway after being medically evacuated from Malaysia and has continued to carry out his constitutional duties, although his health has required periodic medical treatment and periods of sick leave.
Photo courtesy of Jabatan Penerangan Negara Brunei Darussalam
A companion piece to yesterday’s report on the withdrawal of Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah’s title, for readers who want to understand why the decision matters.
The announcement issued by the Office of the Grand Chamberlain of Brunei Darussalam was brief. It confirmed that the title held by Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah had been withdrawn with immediate effect and referred to conduct considered inappropriate for the spouse of a member of the royal family.
The announcement did not identify the conduct in question or provide further details about the circumstances that led to the decision. At present, the statement confirms the withdrawal but does not explain what specifically prompted His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei to take action.
Earlier withdrawals of royal titles
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has previously withdrawn the royal titles of two former wives.
In 2003, the Sultan divorced his second wife, Mariam Abdul Aziz, and her royal titles were withdrawn in connection with the divorce. Some contemporaneous reports described the divorce as related to Nusyuz, an Islamic legal term for a wife’s disobedience, though this was not confirmed in the official announcement.
In 2010, the Sultan divorced his third wife, Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim. Her royal titles and honours were withdrawn following the divorce.
The current case is different because Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah is not the Sultan’s wife or former wife. She is his daughter-in-law, having married his son, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik of Brunei, in April 2015.
No divorce involving Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah and Prince ‘Abdul Malik was announced alongside the withdrawal of her title. Based on the information currently available, the decision appears to have been made separately from any announced change to the couple’s marital status.
This differs from the earlier cases, both of which followed a divorce.
That distinction matters beyond the individual case. Both prior withdrawals were exercises of the Sultan’s authority over his own marriage. This one extends that authority to the conduct of an in-married member of the wider royal family, independent of any change in her marital status, a broader assertion of control than either previous case demonstrates.
The wording of the announcement
The statement said that the withdrawal followed conduct deemed inappropriate for the spouse of a member of the royal family.
It further stated that the conduct had tarnished the good name of, and shown disrespect toward, His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, and the royal family.
The statement was issued by the Office of the Grand Chamberlain. The Acting Grand Chamberlain, Pengiran Haji Raffizanna bin Pengiran Haji Razali, communicated that the withdrawal had been carried out by royal command.
This distinction is important. The decision was ordered by His Majesty the Sultan, while the Office of the Grand Chamberlain communicated the decision. The statement did not set out the legal basis for the withdrawal or indicate whether additional action would follow.
What remains unknown
The announcement did not identify a specific incident or explain what conduct was considered inappropriate. It also did not address the status of Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah’s marriage to Prince ‘Abdul Malik.
It remains unclear whether the Office of the Grand Chamberlain will issue any additional announcement concerning Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah or Prince ‘Abdul Malik. For now, the withdrawal of her title is the only action that has been publicly confirmed, and the reasons behind it remain undisclosed.
Whether this signals a wider standard of expected conduct for extended royal family members, or remains an isolated case, will depend on whether similar action follows in future.
Portrait courtesy of Jabatan Penerangan Brunei Darussalam
In Bandar Seri Begawan, His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei has withdrawn, with immediate effect, the style and title held by the wife of his third son, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik of Brunei, according to an announcement issued by the Office of the Grand Chamberlain.
The decision concerns Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah, whose formal Brunei Malay title was Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah.
The announcement, issued by the Acting Grand Chamberlain, Pengiran Haji Raffizanna bin Pengiran Haji Razali, said the withdrawal was ordered by His Majesty the Sultan following conduct deemed inappropriate for the spouse of a member of the royal family.
It said the conduct had tarnished the good name of, and shown disrespect towards, His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, and the royal family.
The announcement did not specify the conduct in question, nor did it provide further details about the circumstances behind His Majesty the Sultan’s decision.
Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah married Prince ‘Abdul Malik in April 2015. The wedding celebrations were held in Bandar Seri Begawan from April 5th to 16th, culminating in the exchange of vows on April 12th in the throne room of Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of His Majesty the Sultan.
Before her marriage, she was known as Dayangku Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah Pengiran Haji Bolkiah. Following the marriage, she was accorded the title Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah.
The Selangor royal household has announced the birth of Yang Mulia Tengku Alia Amira binti Tengku Amir Shah, the first child of His Royal Highness Tengku Amir Shah, the Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of Selangor, and Her Royal Highness Datin Paduka Seri Afzaa Fadini Abdul Aziz. The princess was born on July 21st, 2026, at 2:56 in the afternoon.
In a statement, the royal household said the couple gave thanks to Allah Subḥānahu wa Taʿālā for the blessing and expressed their sincere appreciation to all those who had offered prayers and well wishes for their family.
Yang Mulia Tengku Alia Amira binti Tengku Amir Shah is the first child of the royal couple, who were married on October 2nd, 2025, at the Masjid Istana Diraja, Istana Alam Shah, in Klang.
His Royal Highness Tengku Amir Shah was proclaimed Raja Muda of Selangor on May 3rd, 2002, at the age of 11, following the death of his elder brother, and was formally installed in the role on October 8th, 2016. He is the heir apparent to the Selangor throne. Selangor is one of the nine hereditary Malay states of Malaysia whose ruler is eligible to serve as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the country’s constitutional monarch, under Malaysia’s unique rotational monarchy system.
The Royal Correspondent 