The king’s resignation took effect immediately, the National Palace said in a statement. It follows weeks of speculation that the ruler would step down.
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Russia beauty queen marries Malaysia’s King Muhammad V
The 49-year-old king returned to royal duties a week ago after two months of sick leave.
But in December, pictures emerged on social media purporting to show him getting married in Russia.
The king is claimed to have married 25-year-old Oksana Voevodina in a lavish ceremony in Moscow.
The bride - who won Miss Moscow in 2015 and has worked as a model in China and Thailand - is said to have converted to Islam ahead of the wedding.
Malaysia's King Muhammad V abdicated on Sunday (Image: GETTY)
