Princess Anisha and Prince Mateen of Brunei are currently in a newborn bubble. The couple took to Instagram on 11 February to officially announce the birth of their first child – and reveal her precious name. "Zahra Mariam Bolkiah [heart emoji]," Prince Mateen penned.
"Anisha & I are so grateful to the incredible team at JPMC [Jerudong Park Medical Centre] for their exceptional care and support, and so thankful to everyone for the kind wishes." In the photo, the new parents stood in what seemed to be the living room at their home, Anisha and Mateen both wearing black, with the new father holding baby Zahra.
It is unprecedented to see a glimpse inside Anisha and Mateen's home. The space featured a built-in white cabinet with glass doors that plays home to Zahra's toys. Meanwhile, the floor was adorned with a soft pink, subtly printed rug with a playmat laid out for their tot.
Anisha and Mateen's London lifestyle
Their permanent residence is Istana Nurul Izzah in Kampong Jerudong, the palace in Brunei, which was built in 1985 for Pengiran Isteri Hajah Mariam, the former wife of Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, and Prince Mateen's father.
© InstagramHowever, the photo appeared to be taken in London, where Anisha and her husband share a home. The UK is close to the princess' heart as not only was she born in London, but she studied a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages & European Studies at the University of Bath, graduating in 2017.
© InstagramAccording to Tatler, the couple have been spending a lot of their time in London of late and even made an appearance at Wimbledon last summer. Meanwhile, their time out of the city included a quiet getaway to the Cotswolds last January, where they embraced a country aesthetic in waxed jackets and wellies.
The couple's Brunei bolthole
Their palatial home is starkly different – traditionally luxurious with landscaped gardens, a banqueting hall, and a throne room. It also features several private suites and, as you would imagine, public function rooms. Meanwhile, Mateen's father, who lives with his wife Queen Saleha (he divorced Mateen's mother in 2003) live at Istana Nurul Iman, AKA the Light of Faith Palace.
© GettyWhile the couple might spend a lot of time away from their family in Brunei, they have kept Mateen's family close with the choice of baby name. While Zahra is an Arabic name meaning brilliance, splendour, bright, and flower, her middle name, Mariam, is the name of Prince Abdul Mateen's mother, while Princess Anisha's mother's name is Siti Mariam.
