Jana Jakoubková Becomes Sultanka of Kelantan After Royal Abdication Crisis
Jana Jakoubková, a native of Prague, is now officially known as Her Royal Highness Sultanka Núr Diana Petra Abdullah of the Malaysian state of Kelantan, ReadZone reported. She converted to Islam in 2010 and married Muhammad V, the ruler of Kelantan, in late October of that same year. Her husband subsequently took office as Malaysia’s 15th king in December 2016, following the nation’s system where nine hereditary monarchs rotate the federal throne every five years. Through her marriage, the Czech native earned the honorary title Če Puan, translating to lady, alongside the style of Her Grace before her later elevation to sultanka.
The royal household faced a scandal when the sultan utilized Islamic law to take a second wife, marrying 2015 Miss Moscow winner Oksana Vojevodinová in a Muslim ceremony in Malaysia followed by a reception in the Russian capital. Muhammad V unexpectedly abdicated the Malaysian throne in early 2019, just two years into his royal term, amid the fallout from the marriage. ReadZone reported that the Russian model learned of the existing Czech wife only two days after the ceremony, while Jakoubková reportedly remained unaware of the new union until media reports surfaced and triggered a severe reaction.
The Royal Divorce and Elevation to Sultanka
The sultan separated from his second wife within months of the wedding, executing a remote divorce under Sharia law in 2019 by pronouncing the repudiation three times. The legal separation occurred shortly after the birth of a son named Leo, whose paternity the monarch reportedly questioned. Vojevodinová learned of the termination through public news reports and relocated with the infant to London, where she settled.
Jakoubková weathered the marital crisis and maintained her position alongside the monarch. In August 2022, Muhammad V officially elevated her to the rank of Sultanka of the constituent state of Kelantan with the title of Her Royal Highness. She regularly accompanies the ruler to state ceremonies and public events, adhering to strict modesty guidelines in the majority-Muslim nation that require her attire to cover her knees and extend sleeves past her elbows. She made her most recent public appearance during autumn celebrations marking her husband’s 56th birthday, attending a formal dinner and associated ceremonies.
Severed Ties With Prague and South Bohemian Real Estate
The Czech native maintains no active connection with her home country, according to government records. Diplomatic staff from the Czech embassy in Malaysia attempted to arrange a meeting, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the sultanka expressed no interest in establishing contact with the diplomatic mission.
As sultanka, she accepts various honors and acts as patron for multiple charitable organizations. In October of the previous year, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Britain named two distinct orchid species in her honor. Because the royal couple remains without children, the line of succession in Kelantan currently points toward the sultan’s brother, who is married to a Swedish national.
The royal family also holds direct financial interests in the Czech Republic through property acquisitions. In 2020, the Malaysian royal investment fund, The Royal Invest Fund of Kelantan, purchased a castle in the South Bohemian town of Protivín for 100 million crowns. Comprehensive renovation plans announced at the time of the purchase have not yet materialized.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Kelantan Royal Family
What exact title did Jana Jakoubková hold before becoming Sultanka?
Following her 2010 marriage, she used the Islamic name Núr Diana Petra Abdullah and held the honorary prefix Če Puan, which translates to lady, along with the address of Her Grace before her 2022 elevation to Sultanka.
How long did Muhammad V reign as Malaysia’s king before stepping down?
He served as the 15th King of Malaysia for just two years, taking office in December 2016 and abdicating early in 2019 during the fallout from his second marriage.
What property does the Kelantan royal fund own in the Czech Republic?
The Royal Invest Fund of Kelantan purchased a castle in the South Bohemian town of Protivín in 2020 for 100 million crowns, though planned reconstruction work has not been carried out.
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