BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A son of the Sultan of Brunei, Prince 'Abdul 'Azim, died on Saturday (Oct 24). He was 38.

News of the death was reported by Brunei's state broadcaster Radio Television Brunei in an official announcement and also by the Borneo Bulletin newspaper.

"Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah's son Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim passed away on 7th of Rabi-ul-awal (Oct 24) at 10.08am local time.

"The funeral will take place during Asr prayers (late noon) this evening," said the announcement.

The cause of his death was not stated.

Fourth-in-line to succeed the throne of Brunei, Prince 'Abdul 'Azim was the second-born prince of Sultan Hassanal.

According to news reports, a source from Brunei said that the prince had been in hospital for a while.

The source said Brunei is in a seven-day mourning period.

The instructions sent out to citizens, according to local reports, read: "Muslim women are required to wear white tudung or headscarves, and non-Muslims are required to wear a white armband measuring 3 inches (7.6cm) wide."

On Twitter, many people shared their grief and condolences on hearing the news.

Born in Bandar Seri Begawan on July 29, 1982, Prince 'Abdul 'Azim studied at International School Brunei, Singapore's Raffles Institution and Oxford Brookes University.

According to the Borneo Bulletin newspaper, the late prince was laid to rest at the Royal Mausoleum in the capital on Saturday.