Royals Competing At SEA Games 2025: Who You Should Look Out For
Members of royal families across Southeast Asia are taking part in this year’s SEA Games in Thailand. Which royal will claim gold for their country?
We’ve got royalty (yes, literally) taking part at the SEA Games 2025, including a queen. Let’s be honest, few things are more exciting than the possibility of a prince or princess competing at the Games in their respective sports.
Here are the royals you’ll want to keep an eye on as the region’s best athletes take the field at the SEA Games 2025, taking place from Dec 9-20 in Thailand.
Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana (Thailand): Sailing
Thailand’s Queen Suthida is hitting the SEA Games waters in the SSL47 keelboat event from December 15-18.
The 47-year-old wife of King Maha Vajiralongkorn usually serves as her team’s navigator, and she is no casual athlete, even crushing a 21km half-marathon on November 30.
Her appearance also continues a royal family legacy in the sport, following King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, who won a gold medal in sailing at the 1967 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games (SEAP Games), now known as the SEA Games.
Prince Abdul Mateen ibni Hassanal Bolkiah (Brunei): Polo
The 34-year-old Prince Mateen isn’t just a heartthrob (yes, we know he is married and expecting his first child) but also a legit polo talent, picking up bronze medals with the national team at the SEA Games in both 2017 and 2019.
Prince Mateen also founded his own professional team, MB Polo, which competes in prestigious tournaments in Spain, such as the annual Gold Cup of the Torneo Internacional de Polo, which they won in 2019.
Princess Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah (Brunei): Polo
While the spotlight is usually on her brother Prince Mateen, Princess Azemah is the real breakout star this time.
The 41-year-old is the first female competitor from Brunei to earn a bronze medal in the sport at the 2017 and SEA Games, and leads the national polo team as captain.
She’s been riding since she was four and picked up polo at 20.
Photos: tmski/IG, VNExpress, LA POLO
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