Sultan of Brunei marks Golden Jubilee with lavish royal celebration

The Sultan of Brunei has marked his 50 years on the throne with an extravagant Golden Jubilee celebration.

The powerful Sultan travelled through streets in a golden chariot followed by a marching band, while the public lined the street to get a glimpse. 

Images: AAP

The procession was followed by a 21-gun salute and a ceremony at his golden-domed palace. 

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is the world’s second longest reigning monarch behind Queen Elizabeth II. He took the throne in October, 1967 aged just 21, and his ruling has seen the country gain full independence from Great Britain and the country thrive thanks to oil and gas reserves. 

His reign has not been without its controversies, though. In 2014, tough Islamic laws were introduced, which will eventually include penalties such as severing of limbs and death by stoning.

The sultan also publicly feuded with his younger brother Prince Jefri Bolkiah over the latter's alleged embezzlement of $15 billion when he was finance minister in the 1990s. Details emerged of the Prince’s playboy lifestyle, including a yacht he named “tits”.