Brunei heir established

Brunei heir established

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (AP): A wide-eyed 24-year-old with a passion for snooker and Bon Jovi was installed yesterday as heir to one of the world's richest monarchies.

Amid Islamic prayers and booming guns, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah passed on a jeweled Malay dagger to his eldest son, Prince Al- Muhtadee Billah, making him rightful heir to the throne held by his family for more than 500 years.

The prince, dressed in an ornate gold-embroidered jacket and wearing a gold crown, looked solemn throughout the hour long ceremony before 4,000 guests. The huge palace hall, its walls painted gold, was packed with royal relatives, the who's who of Brunei society and foreign diplomats.

The sultan wore military dress with a sword at his belt. On either side were his two wives in green and pink sequined gowns reflecting the palace lights.