Prince Azim, the son of the Sultan of Brunei who was fourth in line to the country’s throne, has died.
He was 38.
via People:
Brunei’s government confirmed that Prince Azim died on Saturday morning, and he was laid to rest at the Royal Mausoleum in the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan. Palace officials also declared a seven-day period of national mourning with flags being flown at half-mast.
Although officials did not disclose his cause of death, local media reports said the prince had been in hospital “for quite some time,” according to Vice.
Educated at the International School Brunei, Raffles Institution in Singapore and Oxford Brookes University in the U.K., Prince Azim was sent to attend officer training course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2008. However, he dropped out after one week, according to The Times.
Instead, the royal made a name for himself in Hollywood, becoming a film producer — credits include the 2014 drama You’re Not You starring Hillary Swank and the 2018 film The Happy Prince featuring Colin Firth and Rupert Everett. He was frequently spotted with celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Pamela Anderson and Joan Collins.
Asian leaders offered their condolences. On behalf of the Malaysian government, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said in a statement shared on Facebook: “May his soul be blessed by Allah and placed among the righteous,” he said.
Singapore’s president Halimah Yacob remembered the prince for his generosity in a public letter, saying, “He will be remembered for his passion for the arts and kindness to the needy.” Meanwhile, Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong said Prince Azim “was known for his kind and generous spirit, and for his dedication to charitable, educational, and youth causes.”
Prince Azim was quite the socialite. We remember the headlines when he paid Michael Jackson $10 million to attend his 25th birthday party in England.
Not to sing — just to attend. RIP.
