Brunei Darussalam celebrated the 75th birthday of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam today with over 1,000 uniformed personnel marching in the ceremonial Royal Guard of Honour parade at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
The much-awaited parade made a return to the capital after last year’s cancellation due to the pandemic, with more celebratory events slated to take place across the country.
The customary procession consisted of personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) as well as government and non-governmental organisations.
Prior to the march-past, His Majesty and members of the Royal Family were greeted with a line-up of enthusiastic students waving the mini national flags along the main procession route accompanied by the harmonious beats of the hadrah.
The Sultan was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah.
Upon His Majesty’s arrival at the royal dais, a 21-cannon gun salute was fired by the RBAF personnel as the national anthem echoed across the field in the background while the crowd fell in silence, displaying respect for the benevolent ruler.
The Sultan, later on, inspected the participating contingents in the parade comprising of personnel from the Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force and RBPF.
During the inspection, three songs were played by the RBAF and RBPF bands namely; “Perwiraku”, “The Supreme Commander’s March” and “Kesetiaan Pada Negara”.
Donning the best looks in their neat uniforms, the contingents proceeded to do their synchronised formations and a march past for a royal salute before the Sultan.
Royal Brunei Air Force personnel seen shouting “Daulat” during the Royal Guard of Honour parade in conjunction with His Majesty’s 75th birthday celebration. Image: Yusri Adanan 
Royal Brunei Police Force personnel seen shouting “Daulat” during the Royal Guard of Honour parade in conjunction with His Majesty’s 75th birthday celebration. Image: Yusri Adanan 
RBAF women personnel during the march past parade in conjunction with His Majesty’s 75th birthday celebration. Image: Yusri Adanan 
RBAF personnel during the march past parade in conjunction with HIs Majesty’s 75th birthday. Image: Yusri Adanan 
Royal Brunei Navy personnel seen carrying the Royal Standard of His Majesty during the march past parade in conjunction with His Majesty’s 75th birthday. Image:Yusri Adanan
After making their smooth routine, the uniformed personnel reassembled at the field and chanted a powerful “Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik” for three times, honouring His Majesty’s birthday celebration.
The auspicious event concluded with the amazing fly past by officers and personnel of Royal Brunei Air Force on board seven Blackhawk choppers, marking the end of the parade.
The ceremony was also attended by His Majesty’s special guests Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security of Singapore Teo Chee Hean and spouse Chew Poh Yim; and Finance Secretary of the Philippines Carlos Garcia Domingues III.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
