Out of the blue

Okay, I'll cut the sarcasm. Khaiyisah (as she wished to be called) seemed a little timid initially as this was her first interview but relaxed after she realised I wasn't there to scrutinise her... well, at least not yet.

Does she think she's superior compared to others? "Of course not!" came the defensive reply. All right, I should have phrased that question more tactfully.

"I think I'm the same as everyone else and I try to keep a low profile," said the eldest of three siblings.

Kaiyisah doesn't expect any special attention from teachers and friends and she doesn't use her title to get places. "As far as I see, it's just a title and I try not to use it to my advantage."

Does the sultan's grandchild have to observe certain formalities when approaching her grandpa? She replied: "He's just like any other granddad. I just need to dress decently."

Kaiyisah came across as a mature, well-brought up girl. And the credit should go to mom Tengku Aishah Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, she says.

"Mom was very strict with me when I was growing up. She's a no-nonsense lady who trained my siblings and I to be disciplined and independent." Kaiyisah added that mom is probably the most influential person in her life.

Although Kaiyisah admits her title gives her privileges unknown to commoners, she tries her best to blend in and not abuse these privileges.

What are these privileges? They include dinners with the sultan, a maid to attend to her needs at home, monthly allowances above what an average teenager receives, overseas trips with the family, and perhaps better treatment and opportunities that come from knowing people in high places. One thing's for sure. They're stuff that are easier to enjoy than sacrifice.

Kaiyisah playing a game of snooker with a friend from the Maldives.

"I try to live as simply as possible. Especially during this time of recession, I try to cut down on my budget and not ask my parents for money. If I could work to raise my own money, I would but I am not allowed to as I'm still in school," she added.

Kaiyisah spends her free time playing games. "I love everything except swimming, golf and tennis." Her favourite game is hockey.

Oh, and she loves doing her own laundry and ironing and even wakes up in the wee hours to straighten out her clothes. Surprised? I was too. But that's 'cos she never gets a chance to do all these at home.

She has big ambitions for her future and seems very determined to achieve at least one of her dreams. "I want to be either a lawyer, a businesswoman or an interior designer."

"Just because I'm a sultan's granddaughter doesn't mean I have life easy, you know," Kaiyisah said. "I have my share of pain too." Yes, she did mention some personal challenges faced while growing up. Judging from her facial expression, they were no laughing matter.

I guess life has its ups and downs. And even princesses are not spared.

Tengku Alam Shah Amiruddin Tengku Ahmad Shah, 17, and Tengku Azran A. Jawaad Tengku Azlan, 16, are grandsons of the Yang Di Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Ja'afar Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, our current king.

Also students of KTJ, Alam and Azran are in Forms Five and Four (international) respectively. Alam, who was a real rascal when his friends were around just minutes before, became very quiet during the interview. Azran was more outspoken. Most of the time Alam just nodded in agreement to whatever Azran said. Hmm ... wonder if they had rehearsed this in advance?!

They were extremely well behaved during the interview, choosing their words with care. Azran later explained this was because as royalty, their parents often remind them not to ruin the family name.

"We have all the fun we want but try not to make fools of ourselves." And there's no mistaking that glint of mischief in their eyes!

Azran and Alam claim their status doesn't effect their interaction with commoners in any way. "We feel pretty normal, like we're one of them."

Both guys are from Kuala Lumpur and have lots of commoner friends back home whom they meet with during exeats (semester breaks between terms and short breaks given on weekends) and holidays. And how do their parents feel about that? "Oh, they don't really mind as long as it isn't bad company," Alam said.

Life in a boarding school was pretty tough at first for these princes. Although they don't exactly live in palaces, they do enjoy room and housekeeping services at home.

No, they don't live in hotels but they have two maids to help out with all the chores at home - something they don't get at KTJ. So they learnt responsibility, toughened up a little and found out they won't die getting their royal hands dirty.

Alam says he makes his own bed while Azran says he does it sometimes - when in a good mood. Although at school their clothes are often sent to the common laundry, they still wash and iron their own clothes when forced by circumstances, such as lack of clean clothes to wear.

Alam's sister Alana, 15, also studies at KTJ. As big brother, he used to look out for her but not anymore. "She has to take care of herself as I can't be babysitting her forever."

Azran has an older brother and sister who are studying in the United States and an adopted younger sister, Marina, 11. Both boys admitted that back home when their maids aren't around, their little sisters are frequently coaxed into serving them food, especially late at night when they're comfortably tucked in a couch in front of the television and can't bear getting up.

While Azran plans on following the footsteps of his parents in doing business some day, Alam's not sure yet. "I'm currently quite interested in architecture."

Golf is a favourite family pasttime and these boys have had a go at it. The result: Azran is an avid golfer while Alam got bored of it after a term.

Once in three weeks, they go home to have dinner with their grandpa. Although their parents are on the school's governing board, teachers still call up with complaints if they don't study hard or behave.

Alam was drilled (forced to run around the school) once for failing to show up for sports.

Both boys admitted that in a way their extra privileges do make them feel good about themselves. What if those privileges were removed? "Aww, that would just be too bad!" was the instant, horrified reply.

Although aware that their pampered life has, in a way, robbed them of independence and a sense of responsibility, the boys felt they were too used to it.

"If it was snatched away from us, we'd learn to live with it. But if it was a choice, we wouldn't give up this privilege. Why should we when we have life so easy?" Azran answered.

Asked whether they'd raise their kids in the same regal manner in which they were brought up, Azran said, "Why not? If I have the money."

By now my curiosity had gotten the better of me. Does grandpa give good gifts for birthdays and special occasions? "Of course lah," Alam said, grinning sheepishly. Most of the time it's cash although sometimes these lucky devils do get hand-me-down designer outfits and watches from grandpa.

""When we were younger it used to be toys, but I still prefer cash," Azran quipped.

Once a year, they follow grandpa and the rest of the aristocrat family for an overseas holiday. The venue was mainly Lake Tahoe in the United States but last year, due the slump in economy, they opted for a cheaper place - Thailand.

A saying came to my mind while chatting with these royals - to whom much is given, much is required. I wonder what price they have to pay for the many lavish things life offers them? Makes me glad to be red-blooded!

Kaiyisah would work to earn her own money if she could.

Kaiyisah playing a game of snooker with a friend from the Maldives.

Getting to know you ... Alam (in white cap) and Azran (checked pants) learn to mix with commoners at their boarding school.

"We feel pretty normal," say Alam (left) and Azran.

Alam had to run around the school for not turning up for sports.

Don't ruin the family name ... so Azran is careful with words.