Malaysia's king becomes first to abdicate throne just months after marrying Russian beauty queen 24 years his junior
- King Sultan Muhammad, 49 has abdicated after just two years on the throne
- No reason was given for cutting short his five-year term in palace statement
- He married former Miss Moscow Moscow Oksana Voevodina, 25, in November
- Malaysia's nine hereditary state rulers take turns as king for five-year terms
- It is the first time since Independence from Britain in 1957 a king has abdicated
The King of Malaysia has abdicated after just two months on the throne.
King Sultan Muhammad V, 49, resigned with immediate effect this morning, a palace statement said.
No reason was given for cutting short his five-year term - a first in the country's history.
Sultan Muhammad V, ruler of northeast Kelantan state, was installed in December 2016 as one of Malaysia's youngest constitutional monarchs.
He married former Miss Moscow Oksana Voevodina, 25, in a lavish ceremony in November after she reportedly converted to Islam to be with him.
Oksana Voevodina, 25, (right) married Malaysia's King Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan (left), 49, in a lavish royal wedding ceremony in Moscow on November 22
The former King's bride Oksana Voevodina, 25, is pictured in 2015 when she was crowned Miss Moscow
Former Miss Moscow Oksana Voevodina, 25, married King Sultan Muhammad V in a lavish ceremony in November
The 25-year-old doctor's daughter (pictured) who won the title of Miss Moscow in 2015, has worked previously as a model in China and Thailand
This is the first time a king has abdicated in the Muslim-majority country since independence
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Under a unique system maintained since Malaysia's independence from Britain in 1957, nine hereditary state rulers take turns as king for five-year terms.
In a statement, the palace said simply: 'The National Palace informs that his majesty has resigned as the 15th king effective January 6.'
Ms Voevodina, a doctor's daughter, who won the title of Miss Moscow in 2015, has worked previously as a model in China and Thailand.
The Malaysian first lady took the Muslim name Rihana and a picture of her in a hijab was posted on Twitter (with former King, left)
She is 24 years younger than her new husband, who she married in Moscow late last year.
The ceremony took place on November 22 in a concert hall in the upscale Moscow suburb of Barvikha, reported Islam News.
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.
She took the Muslim name Rihana and a picture of her in a hijab was posted on Twitter.
The glamorous beauty queen is believed to have jetted off to a fertility clinic in Germany soon after they married.
Sources close to the couple claimed they were 'very much concerned' about having children.
There had been a question mark over the reign of the king since his leave of absence 'for medical treatment' in November.
Reports then circulated online that he had married a former Miss Moscow in Russia - although royal officials in Malaysia have so far not commented.
Speculation intensified about his future this week when the country's Islamic royals reportedly held a special meeting.
The couple's wedding (pictured) was alcohol free and all food was halal. The king was dressed in Malaysian national clothes, and the bride wore a white wedding dress
They reportedly met 18 months ago, while Ms Voevodina worked as a model promoting luxury watches in Europe
This photo taken on July 17, 2018 shows the 15th king of Malaysia, Sultan Muhammad V (right), preparing to deliver his address during the opening ceremony of the parliament in Kuala Lumpur as Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (left) looks on
