Besar binti Metassan (24 September 1928 – 16 October 2016) was a member of the Bruneian royal family and the mother of Queen Saleha, the queen consort of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
Contents
Early life
Besar was born on 24 September 1928 to Pengiran Anak Metassan bin Pengiran Anak Ismail Apong and Pengiran Anak Piut binti Pengiran Anak Muhammad Tajuddin Gador.
Marriage and issue
In 1943, Besar married Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam ibni Pengiran Bandahara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman. Together they had nine children, 37 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren as of 2016.
Issue
Pengiran Anak Mohammad Yusof (24 June 1948 – 13 December 2004); married Princess Nor'ain and had issue
Pengiran Anak Saleha (born 7 October 1946); married Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and has issue
Pengiran Anak Zariah (born 3 October); married Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and has issue
Pengiran Anak Rokiah (born 17 July 1950); married Pengiran Anak Apong bin Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Muda Hashim
Pangiran Anak Puteh (born 19 January 1951); married Kamilah binti Abdullah and has issue
Pengiran Anak Ja'afar (born 1951)
Pengiran Anak Damit (6 May 1956 – 19 August 2007); married Pengiran Muhammad Ayub bin Pengiran Maharaja Anakanda Pengiran Ahmad
Pengiran Anak Mastura (6 January 1960 – 26 July 2016); married Pengiran Yura Perkasa bin Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Mohd. Yussof and had issue
Pengiran Anak Fatimah (born 9 April 1962)
Royal duties
Besar was active in community and welfare initiatives in Brunei. She would also attend several other royal ceremonies and events, such as a Khatam al-Quran ceremony in 2008 and the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at the Bukit Kayangan Hall in 2014
Death
Besar died on 16 October 2016 at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital at the age of 88. Her remains were taken to her home in Taman Seri Alam, Beribi, Bandar Seri Begawan before being interred at the Royal Mausoleum. Members of the royal family and government officials attended the ceremony.
Titles, styles, and honours
Titles and styles
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah granted her the title of Pengiran Babu Raja which translates to Queen mother.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Besar binti Pengiran Anak Metassan
Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Babu Raja Pengiran Anak Besar binti Pengiran Anak Metassan
Honours
Family Order of Laila Utama (DK) – Dato Laila Utama
Order of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Second Class (DSLJ) – Datin Seri Laila Jasa
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS)
Things named after her
Jalan Pengiran Babu Raja, a road in Bandar Seri Begawan