Brunei was once a British protectorate.

By the late nineteenth century, the Brunei Sultanate had lost its luster and economic vigor, as well as losing sections of its borders, and had devolved into a dormant state. Brunei adopted the position of British Protected State in 1888, when it signed a Protectorate Treaty with Britain. In exchange for protection from foreign foes, the Sultanate's exterior affairs were taken over by the United Kingdom.

Despite the pact, Brunei was being pillaged by its neighboring states of Sarawak and Borneo. The country was on the verge of insolvency and was on the verge of disintegrating. Brunei signed an agreement with Britain in 1906 that guaranteed the succession of Brunei's royal dynasty, with the proviso that a British resident would advise the Sultan on all things except internal policies pertaining to local traditions and religion.

Brunei remained a British Protectorate until 1971, when it ceased to be a British protected state under an agreement with the UK. Brunei's constitution was altered to give the Sultan complete power over all domestic issues, but the United Kingdom retained responsibility for defense and international affairs. On January 1, 1984, the country gained independence from the United Kingdom.