Queen Damit of Brunei

Pengiran Anak Damit was born in 1924, in Kampong Masjid Lama, Brunei Town, Brunei.[2] She is the oldest child of Pengiran Hajah Fatimah binti Radin Haji Hassan and Pengiran Bendahara Sri Maharaja Permasuara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Muda Omar Ali Junied. His father is Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin's grandson. In the palace, she received a private education.[3]

Pengiran Anak Damit was married to her cousin, then Sultan Omar Ali Saiduddien III. The wedding ceremony for took place on 6 September 1941.[4] Despite that, the Japanese Army would land in Kuala Belait six months later, resulting in the Japanese occupation of Brunei. Throughout her position, she had raised awareness on issues faced by the community and residents of the country. Her public image was well received among the general public, especially women, after she tagged alongside her husband to several state visits as a government official.[2]

Pengiran Anak Damit and her husband onboard HMS Puncheston in 1965

On 15 July 1947, Damit's husband became a wazir which put more responsibilities on her. On 6 June 1951, she was given the title Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri following her husband's accession to the throne of Brunei. On 15 May 1958, she officially opened the Raja Isteri Fatimah Malay School. In February 1965, her husband alongside her visited HMS Puncheston (M1174). In conjunction to the visit of Earl Mountbatten later that month, she attended the attended the celebration at Istana Darul Hana. Pengiran Anak Damit became Paduka Seri Suri Begawan Raja Pengiran Anak Hajah Damit on 1 August 1968, following the abdication of her spouse in 1967. In 1972, Pengiran Anak Damit alongside her husband greeted the Duke of Edinburgh at Istana Darul Hana, while he was on a visit to Brunei.[5] Three years later, she was present during Duchess of Kent's state visit to the country.[2]

At 13:20 13 September 1979, Pengiran Anak Damit passed away, aged 55 years old, in Bandar Seri Begawan's Kampong Sumbiling Lama at the Istana Darussalam. The Pehin Ismail-led funeral was held at Istana Darul Hana which would last from the day she died to the following day. The death was first reported and announced in the evening by her brother, Pengiran Anak Mohammad Alam. At 11:30 on the 14th, her body was carried by three princes and her son-in-law into a hearse, which would depart for Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. Under the drizzling rain, the casket was carried into the mosque while waiting for the obligatory Friday prayer and funeral prayer.[6]

There were live television broadcasting for the people, with some listening at home. Following this, all television and radio were cancelled to make way for a day of mourning. Prince Mohamed Bolkiah leading his two sisters and brothers-in-law in carrying her casket onto a unique stretcher, which would be pulled by Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) officers and Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (RBMR) soldiers. Through Batu Satu, her body was interred at the Kubah Makam Di Raja.[3] Maghrib prayer continued to be held until the 22nd. In addition, flags must be flown at half-mast for a total of 30 days since the day of her death.[6]

Foreign leaders and government officials who had sent their condolences or in attendance were:[6]

• Tun Hussein bin Onn, Prime Minister of Malaysia
• Sultan Ahmad Shah, Yang di-Pertuan Agong
• Tuanku Ja'afar, Yamtuan Besar
• Abang Muhammad Salahuddin, Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak
• Abdul Rahman Ya'kub, Chief Minister of Sarawak
• Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom
• Arthur Christopher Watson, British High Commissioner to Brunei
• Malcolm MacDonald, former British Commissioner-General for Southeast Asia

Pengiran Anak Damit is born in 1924, to Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman and Pengiran Fatimah. A vizier's daughter. Her father served as Pengiran Bendahara for 25 years, starting in 1918 and ending in his death during the Japanese occupation.[7] Additionally, she is the sister of Pengiran Anak Mohammad Alam, Pengiran Anak Omar Ali,[7] Pengiran Anak Siti Kula,[8] Pengiran Anak Mohammad,[9] and Pengiran Muda Hashim. She is the great-granddaughter of Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin.[8]

Family of Pengiran Anak Damit in 1965

Pengiran Anak Damit and Omar Ali Saifuddien had ten children together (4 princes and 6 princesses);[3]

• Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah[10]
• Prince Mohamed Bolkiah
• Prince Sufri Bolkiah
• Prince Jefri Bolkiah
• Princess Masna Bolkiah
• Princess Norain Bolkiah
• Princess Umi Kalthum Al-Islam Bolkiah
• Princess Amal Rakiah Bolkiah
• Princess Amal Nasibah Bolkiah
• Princess Amal Jefriah Bolkiah