Longest heir-apparent (current)
- Who
- Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Hassanal Bolkiah
- What
- 50 years 275 days year(s):day(s)
- Where
- Brunei Darussalam
- When
- 17 February 1974
As of November 2024, the current longest-serving heir to the throne is Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Hassanal Bolkiah, the eldest son of the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam and Queen Saleha since his birth on 17 February 1974. He was formally proclaimed Crown Prince in 1998, and is next in line to become the 30th Sultan of Brunei.
As part of his preparation for becoming head of state, Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah has held numerous positions in the government - including in the ministries for Immigration, Labour, Finance, Health and Religious Affairs - as well as posts within Brunei's military and police forces. He is also the former goalkeeper of DPMM FC (Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Football Club), a team he currently owns, and has competed in various nine- and eight-ball pool tournaments.
The longest-ever wait for an heir-apparent was 70 years 214 days in the case of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (Charles Philip Arthur George) - now Charles III - of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.