eldest son, Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram, being crowned beside his father as Raja Muda (Crown Prince). On 16 February 1986, Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram, succeeded his father to become the head of the Sulu royal house. As the eldest son of the former Sultan Mahakuttah, he is the legitimate heir to the throne of the Sultanate of Sulu. The following list details the holders of the title Sultan between 1950 and 1986, who are officially recognised by the Philippine Government. List of self-proclaimed sultans from 1980 to 2013, as recognised by the provincial government of Sulu After the death of Sultan Mahakuttah A. Kiram, the Philippine national government has not formally recognised a new sultan. Mahakutta's Crown Prince Muedzul Lail Kiram, the heir to the throne according to the line of succession as recognised by the Philippine governments from 1915 to 1986, was 20 years old upon his father's death. Due to his young age, he failed to claim the throne at a time of political instability in the Philippines that led to peaceful revolution and the subsequent removal of President Marcos. The gap in the sultanate leadership was filled by claimants from rival branches. Therefore, the following sultans were not crowned with the support of, nor received formal recognition from, the Philippine government as their predecessors had until 1986. However, the Philippine national government has participated in discussions with one or more of these claimants regarding issues concerning the sultanate's affairs. The current claimants These are the current claimants. See also List of current pretenders Pretender Monarchy abolishment References External links Line of succession of the Sultans of Sulu of the Modern Era Treaty of Friendship between the Kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara (Uganda) and the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo Filipino datus, rajas and sultans