by News Desk
KUALA LUMPUR (Sin Chew Daily/ANN) - This is a love story of the royalties, the King got to know the queen at the age of 12, they were `dating` secretly.
The Queen Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Maimunah Iskandariah recounts her love story with the King, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, whom she knows at the age of 12 and they keep their relationship through love letters for 13 years before she marries the King at the age of 25. The King once told her that entering the prison is easier than meeting her in the Johor palace
“You ask me about my love story? We do not date during our times!”
Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Maimunah Iskandariah, the queen, blushed when she recalled her younger days of knowing the King, who was a 13-year-old boy then.
She was 12 and the king, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah was a 13-year-old prince. Both Pahang and Johor royalties have known each other for generations. The prince met her when he was visiting the Johor royalties with family members.
“He is my first love. I met him when I was 12. I got married at the age of 25. A total of 13 years of marathon dating. Sound romantic? It is not actually.”
The love letters have kept them together for years.
“I still keep those letters that he sent me,’’ said Tunku Azizah.
“My father is fierce like a tiger. We were not allowed to date. It was ok to meet. But the King would have to come to Johor palace from Pahang and meet in the palace.
“The King once said entering the prison next to the palace is easier than visiting me. You would know how strict my father was. I complained to my father that why was he so strict. Others could be spending time in disco. I have to write love letters at home.
“I still have fond memories through. I have received flowers and also cards sent by the King,” said Tunku Azizah
She admits that the 13 year long courtship is amazing when she recalls now.
“For the modern people, they would have split long time ago and would not last dating for 13 years!”
From dating to getting married, their family members are included in their love story.
“After getting married, the king told me that my life would not have drastic change. Do not think that I am free after marriage. Otherwise my father would kill me!”
She joked that she would be the mother who accompanies her daughter out to meet her date.
“It is ok to date. Meet in the palace garden then. There is also movie room in the palace, can watch movie in the palace too.”
The Queen is unable to hide her admiration and respect she has for the King.
“His majesty taught me many things after we got married. His majesty is a simple person who does no like to show off. His majesty taught me wear according to occasion. When we meet people in the rural area, I would be wearing baju kurung without diamonds. We are there to work, not to show off.
“These are the true characters that people do not know about his majesty. We lead by example to tell your children not to show off to people. We will be wearing proper attire during official events. This is how dress normally,’’ she said.
