7 Young Asian Royals To Follow On Instagram
This story was updated on June 23, 2020.
Hailing from Johor to Thailand to Brunei, the region's savviest blue bloods are holding court on social media.
Talented, photogenic, and charming, these young royals are giving the world tantalising glimpses into their colourful lives as they go about their days.
1/7 Brunei: Prince Abdul Mateen
In recent years, Prince Mateen and his heartthrob good looks has been quite the sensation on Instagram. The son of Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is hands-down the answer to Asia’s most eligible royal bachelor: Athletic, impeccably stylish, and an adoring family guy, to boot.
The competitive polo player is incredibly photogenic and isn’t shy about it. He brings colour to even the most monochromatic filter.
(Related: 21 European Royals You Should Follow on Instagram)
Prince Mateen is also a natural with animals and is a secret horse whisperer. A man riding his mare into the sea is sufficient evidence that he is the fabled Prince Charming, after all.
We hear that women have a thing for men in uniform. Here’s one of the prince in a military outfit—chiselled cheekbones, furrowed brow and all.
When princely duties call, Prince Mateen is not one to cave under pressure. There’s always time for a playful moment, so take care not to bat an eye, lest you miss that cheeky grin.
Follow him @tmski
2/7 Thailand: Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana
This exotic princess holds many titles, including founder and designer of her eponymous label Sirivannavari, supermodel, member of Thailand’s national equestrian team, and scuba diver.
The entrepreneurial lady is a little social media shy, preferring to be credited for her design work on Instagram, which she’s extremely hands-on with. Princess Sirivannavari spends a large chunk of her time at the workshop, even appearing at fittings herself. Talk about the people’s princess.
To the rest of the world, the Fine Arts graduate of Chulalongkorn University is pretty much fashion royalty. Her daring, vivid sense of style has landed her in the front row at numerous Fashion Weeks and put her on various street style radars.
(Related: The Youngest Royal Heirs and Heiresses in Line for the Throne)
She may be the only daughter of King Vajiralongkorn, but this self-made fashionista is not afraid to march to the beat of her drum; a true hallmark of modern-day royalty.
Follow her @sirivannavari
(Related: Who Are The Royals With The Most Impressive CVs in The World?)
3/7 Selangor: Tengku Amir Shah
A scroll through Tengku Amir’s Instagram, and you know this is one progressive young Malaysian royal. The son of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah is hugely passionate about the environment, youth, and education, which prompted him to pursue a Science degree in Ecology and Environmental Biology.
Tengku Amir takes his royal duties seriously, and he's clocked in time at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Surrey. Since graduating, the Raja Muda of Selangor has lent his voice to campaigns and causes that are close to his heart.
The baby-faced royal has inherited his father’s sense of adventure. Off-duty periods see Tengku Amir cycling, running, and indulging in all things football.
Follow him @rmselangor
4/7 Pahang: Tengku Iman Afzan
The daughter of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah is somewhat under the radar but with her delicate beauty and supermodel figure, it’s only a matter of time before the world discovers her.
Until she returned to Malaysia to work in the corporate world, this doe-eyed darling lived and studied in England, which she fondly calls ‘home’.
Her wefies frequently feature family photos, and she’s unabashedly proud of the close-knit relationship with grandfather, Sultan Ahmad Shah, as well as her gorgeous siblings. Tengku Iman has quite the social life, too, and is probably the BFF you dream of having as part of #squadgoals. The princess gave birth to her first child, a baby boy, last year.
Follow her @imanabdullah
5/7 Johor: Tunku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ibrahim
Meet Johor’s equivalent to Brunei’s Prince Mateen, Tunku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ibrahim. Tall, dark and handsome, the 27-year-old prince is proving to be quite a highlight at royal appearances as well as a competitive sportsman.
Here he is in his natural element; suited, booted, and immaculately decorated.
And just like that, he's swung his way into many hearts. The adrenaline junkie is completely at home in the great outdoors, and loves nothing more than a good game of polo.
This Johorian prince doesn’t just live life on the fast lane, he takes it to the skies, too. When he’s not racing on the field or riding in his sports cars, he likes nothing more than ruling the open skies and giving his chartered pilot a break.
Follow him @tunku_abdul_rahman
6/7 India: Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh
Polo player, fashion icon, jet-setter and millionaire: Jaipur’s debonair young monarch is a man of many talents, and certainly holds his own with his adoring fan base on social media.
The 21-year-old polo star picked up the sport as a lad in boarding school and has since racked up a slew of trophies and awards in tournaments around the globe.
Who doesn’t love a royal with a heart of gold? With his winning combo of looks, talent and civic responsibility, this millennial monarch has made headlines around the world as an advocate for female empowerment, even raising funds for his mother's Princess Diya Kumari Foundation through a unique collaboration with Airbnb.
Follow him @pachojaipur
(Related: Who Are The Richest Royals In The World And How Much Are They Worth?)
7/7 Bhutan: Queen Jetsun Pema
Beloved by the people of Bhutan and her followers on social media, Her Royal Highness Queen Jetsun Pema caught the attention of the world when she became the world's youngest queen upon her marriage to Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in 2011 when she was 21 years old.
Given her enormous popularity and approachable personality, The Regent's University London graduate and her monarch husband were dubbed by many as the 'Will and Kate of the Himalayas' – and it's easy to see why.
Moved by social causes like environmental preservation, Queen Jetsun is known for her work with organisations like Bhutan Red Cross Society, Ability Bhutan Society, and Bhutan Kidney Association.
Follow her @queenjetsunpema