His Royal Highness Prince Hassanal Bolkiah is the eldest prince of His Majesty Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit. His Royal Highness was proclaimed as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Brunei (Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Brunei) at 2.45 p.m., 14th August, 1961 in a ceremony held at the “Pasiban Agong” (Main Hall), Istana Darul Hana.
The ceremony was attended by His Majesty Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, the 28th Sultan of Brunei; His Majesty’s second Prince, Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda Mohamed Bolkiah; the Wazirs, Duli Pengiran Bendahara and Duli Pengiran Pemancha; other members of the Royal Family; the Pengiran-pengiran Cheteria, Pengiran Shahbandar and Pengiran Kerma Indera; members of State Legislative Council; the Pehins; and other special guests.
Prior to the start of the Proclamation ceremony, the Chief Officer of Adat Istiadat Istana, Dato Raja Haji Omar presented himself before His Majesty Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien to formally inform His Majesty that the Proclamation Ceremony was ready to begin.
Yang Dimuliakan Lagi Dihormati Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Lela then presented himself before His Majesty to seek His Majesty’s consent for the ceremony to proceed.
The ceremony commenced with the invitation for His Royal Highness Prince Hassanal Bolkiah to the proceedings, which was carried out by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Shahbandar, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Kerma Indera Muhammad, members of the Royal Family, and Manteris including Interior Manteris, accompanied by 20 men carrying the “Senipit”, 10 men carrying the “Tombak”, 18 men carrying the “Pedang”, 10 Pahawais and two Panglimas who led the way.
Upon receiving the ceremonial invitation, His Royal Highness Prince Hassanal Bolkiah proceeded to the field near the palace to receive the honorary salute from the Brunei Police Force. His Royal Highness Prince Hassanal Bolkiah was accompanied by Yang Teramat Mulia Duli Pengiran Pemancha and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Shahbandar, and bearers carrying Royal Regalia and Insignia.
His Royal Highness Prince Hassanal Bolkiah then departed for the “Pasiban Agong,” accompanied by the two Panglimas, Yang Teramat Mulia Duli Pengiran Pemancha, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Shahbandar, members of the Royal Family, men carrying four pieces of “Perhiasan Tunggal”, 20 men carrying the “Tombak”, 20 men carrying the “Pedang”, 10 Pahawais, Manteris and members of the State Legislative Council.
Prior to the proclamation ceremony, ceremonial instruments, namely the Letter of Proclamation, the Government Keris (Keris Kerajaan), Pakaian Persalinan, the Pedang (Swords), the Tombak (Spears), the Bedil (Cannons) were brought into the Pasiban Agong by Yang Amat Berhormat Dato Setia Marsal bin Maun, the Deputy Chief Minister; Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Kerma Indera Muhammad; Yang Berhormat Dato Setia Pengiran Haji Mohd. Yusuf, the Deputy State Secretary, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Diraja Awang Abd. Rahman; Pehin Orang Kaya Perbendaharaan; Pengiran Haji Mokti and Pengarah Haji Abdullah.
The Proclamation Ceremony of His Royal Highness Prince Hassanal Bolkiah as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Brunei (Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Brunei) was then announced by Yang Dihormati Lagi Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong, and this was followed by the reading of the Letter of Proclamation by Yang Amat Berhormat Dato Setia Marsal bin Maun, the Deputy Chief Minister.
Shortly after the Royal Proclamation, a total of 19 shots were fired from the royal cannons. The “Keris Kerajaan” was then attached to the waist of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince by the Yang Teramat Mulia Duli Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuara.
To bless the ceremony, a prayer was read by Yang Mulia Begawan Mudim Haji Adnan, the Kadhi of Brunei.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was then brought on a Royal Procession around the capital, Brunei Town (now Bandar Seri Begawan). His Royal Highness was accompanied by a convoy of some 500 vehicles carrying the Duli Pengiran Bendahara, the Duli Pengiran Pemancha, the “hadrah” team, bearers of “Senipit”, “Tombak” (spears), “Pedang” (swords), the Pahawais, Members of the State Legislative Council and special guests.
The Royal Proclamation Ceremony, an event borne from centuries of royal traditional heritage, officially began with the “Membuka Gendang Jaga-jaga” (Opening of the Guardsmen’s Drums) on 4th August, 1961 at the Surau Diraja, while 12 shots were fired from the cannons.
Various performances such as “pencak silat”, “ronggeng” and traditional dances involving school students and citizens and residents of Brunei were held at the Padang Besar, Brunei Town as well as in the vicinity of Istana Darul Hana from 13th to 17th August, 1961.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Brunei also went on to tour the Tutong and Belait Districts on 16th August, and the Temburong District on 17th August 1961.
The various events would culminate in an Audience, Get-together and Doa Selamat Ceremony which is to be held at the Pasiban Agong, Istana Darul Hana on 18th August, 1961 at 10.00 a.m. to mark the conclusion of the Proclamation Ceremony of His Royal Highness Prince Hassanal Bolkiah as His Royal HIghness the Crown Prince of Brunei.
