The Royal Regalia Museum (Muzium Alat Kebesaran Diraja), previously known as the Royal Regalia Building (Bangunan Alat-Alat Kebesaran Diraja), is a museum located in the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It mainly houses the regalia of the Sultan and the royalty, as well as exhibits related to the commemorations of the Silver and Golden Jubilee celebrations of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s rule of Brunei. It was officially opened on 30 September 1992 by the Sultan himself.
The museum building is a large gold-domed structure which is fitted with specially-designed mosaics. It has a semi-circular plan and is covered with plush carpets. Marble has been used extensively in its interior. The main display at the entrance hall is a huge chariot used for the parade carrying the Sultan through the streets of the city on the occasion of his 1992 silver jubilee celebration. A bevy of headless mannequins dressed in traditional attire are displayed in front of the chariot. There is also a second chariot which was used during the 1968 coronation and also during the 1972 Queen’s visit to Brunei.
Exhibits include the artifacts that were used for royal ceremonies in the country, the gold and silver ceremonial weaponry, crowns embedded with jewels, and other paraphernalia that formed part of the coronation ceremonies, and ceremonial costumes. There is an exhibit of a golden hand and forearm that the Sultan used as a prop for his chin at his coronation and an ornate crown, as well as exhibits of “documents and treaties” in the Constitutional Gallery.
