Marriage between Malaysian king and Russian model ‘is on the rocks’, Moscow media claims

The marriage between the outgoing Malaysian king and a Russian model is on the rocks, according to reports in Moscow.

Oksana Voevodina, 25, caused a sensation when she converted to Islam and wed Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan, 49, in a lavish ceremony in the Russian capital in November.

Reports have claimed that the couple are expecting their first child after attending a German clinic – but media outlets in Russia are now saying the marriage is in trouble.

There has been no official comment about the state of their relationship, but the bride’s father, Russian orthopaedic surgeon Andrey Gorbatenko, played down the reports saying: ‘It’s nonsense. I do not read the internet but I would have been the first to know.’  

It comes as British-educated Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah was named Malaysia’s new king today, replacing Sultan Muhammad V who abdicated unexpectedly after just two years on the throne. 

Malaysian king Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan and his wife Oksana Voevodina

The controversial two month marriage between the outgoing Malaysian king Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan and Russian beauty queen Oksana Voevodina (left and right with her husband) is in trouble, according to reports in Moscow

Royal wedding: Oksana Voevodina, 25, married Malaysia's Muhammad V of Kelantan, 49, in a lavish royal wedding ceremony in the Russian capital in November

Royal wedding: Oksana Voevodina, 25, married Malaysia’s Muhammad V of Kelantan, 49, in a lavish royal wedding ceremony in the Russian capital in November

Accounts in several Russian newspapers and online news outlets today claimed the royal wedding was in difficulty, even suggesting paperwork for divorce was already being prepared

Accounts in several Russian newspapers and online news outlets today claimed the royal wedding was in difficulty, even suggesting paperwork for divorce was already being prepared

Accounts in several Russian newspapers and online news outlets today claimed the royal wedding was in difficulty, even suggesting paperwork for divorce was already being prepared.

Izvestia headlined its report: Izvestia – ‘King of Malaysia and Miss Moscow 2015 decided to divorce.’

Telegram channel Tolko Nikomu’ reported: ‘The fairytale about the Russian Cinderella who married a king is likely to be over… preparing the necessary documents is already underway. The marriage lasted just a couple of months.

Another news source Dni.ru wrote: ‘End of the fairytale – Russian wife of Malaysian King is sent back to Moscow.’ 

A friend a Oksana’s insisted, however, that she was ‘doing well’, claiming the reports were based on ‘fake information’.

But celebrity magazine Starhit citing unnamed ‘insiders’ said relations between the ex-king and the Russian beauty queen had ‘deteriorated’.

‘The feelings of the couple have cooled and they decided to cancel a marriage that was registered just couple of months ago,’ stated the report. There were ‘rumours’ of frequent ‘rows’.

Early in the New Year, Sultan Muhammad V (pictured) abdicated, a shock move that was linked by some reports to his controversial marriage

Early in the New Year, Sultan Muhammad V (pictured) abdicated, a shock move that was linked by some reports to his controversial marriage

The pair wed at an alcohol-free ceremony at an elite concert hall in the upscale Moscow suburb of Barvikha on November 22 last year. Earlier she had converted to Islam

The pair wed at an alcohol-free ceremony at an elite concert hall in the upscale Moscow suburb of Barvikha on November 22 last year. Earlier she had converted to Islam

It comes as British-educated Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (pictured) was named Malaysia's new king today, replacing Sultan Muhammad V who abdicated unexpectedly after just two years on the throne

It comes as British-educated Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (pictured) was named Malaysia’s new king today, replacing Sultan Muhammad V who abdicated unexpectedly after just two years on the throne

‘Now representatives of both spouses are busy preparing paperwork for the divorce’, it was claimed.

The pair wed at an alcohol-free ceremony at an elite concert hall in the upscale Moscow suburb of Barvikha on November 22 last year. Earlier she had converted to Islam.

Early in the New Year the king abdicated, a shock move that was linked by some reports to his controversial marriage.

At the same time there were reports that the Russian, who has also worked as a model in China and Thailand, was expecting their first child. 

Her husband was educated at Oakham School in Rutland, England and St Cross College, Oxford University. Later he attended the European Business School in London. 

Today, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah of central Pahang state was named Malaysia’s new king, replacing Sultan Muhammad V.

Sultan Muhammad V resigned on January 6 as Malaysia’s 15th king, cutting short his five-year term in the first abdication in the nation’s history.  

The keeper of the ruler’s seal, Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, said the Conference of Rulers elected Sultan Abdullah on Thursday under a unique rotating monarchy system. 

Sultan Abdullah, a key figure in several international sports bodies, will be sworn in on January 31 for a five-year term, Syed Danial said in a statement.

Sultan Abdullah’s election had been widely expected, as the Pahang ruler was next in line based on a rotation order established among the country’s nine state rulers.

There were reports that the Russian (pictured), who has also worked as a model in China and Thailand, was expecting their first child

There were reports that the Russian (pictured), who has also worked as a model in China and Thailand, was expecting their first child

 The wedding was alcohol free and all food was halal. The king was dressed in Malaysian national clothes, and the bride wore a white wedding dress

 The wedding was alcohol free and all food was halal. The king was dressed in Malaysian national clothes, and the bride wore a white wedding dress

Just days ago, Sultan Abdullah, 59, succeeded his ailing 88-year-old father, Sultan Ahmad Shah, as Pahang sultan. He has been state regent for the past two years due to his father’s ill health and the state succession was seen as paving the way for him to become king.

British-educated Sultan Abdullah is a council member of FIFA, the world football governing body, president of the Asian Hockey Federation, and an executive board member of the International Hockey Federation.

Nine ethnic Malay state rulers take turns serving as Malaysia’s king for five-year terms under the world’s only such system, which has been maintained since the country’s independence from Britain in 1957.

Known as the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, or He Who is Made Lord, Malaysia’s king plays a largely ceremonial role, since administrative power is vested in the prime minister and Parliament. But the monarch is highly regarded as the guardian of Islam and Malay tradition, particularly among the ethnic Malay Muslim majority.

The king is the nominal head of the government and armed forces. All laws, Cabinet appointments and the dissolution of Parliament for general elections require his assent. The king also issues pardons for criminals. 

Malaysia’s Constitution allocates some 5 million ringgit (£930,000) a year for the expenses of the king and his household, including palace maintenance, although the sum can be increased with Cabinet approval.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk