He succeeded his father upon the latter's death on 10 May 1981.
Pada 1952, baginda dihantar ke untuk melanjutkan pelajaran di Trinity Grammar School.
Nevertheless, during his inaugural speech as the Agong in 1984, about a month after the constitutional amendments were passed in parliament, Sultan Iskandar voiced public support for the revised constitution and pledged to act in accordance to the Prime Minister's advise.