Sultan Nazrin holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Worcester College, Oxford.

Sultan Nazrin has also written articles and spoken on a wide range of issues including the role of the constitutional monarchy in Malaysia, education, Islam, ethnic relations and economic development.

Sultan Nazrin is an honorary fellow at Worcester College, University Oxford; and Magdalene College and St. Edmund's College, University Cambridge; trustee of Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, University Oxford, Royal fellow of Malaysia Institute of Defense and Security (MIDAS); Royal fellow of Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, Royal fellow of Institute of Public Security Malaysia (IPSOM); and the Royal patron for Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre.

Sultan Nazrin was elected as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia in the 243th Special Meeting of Conference of Rulers on 14 October 2016.

Sultan Nazrin Shah was re-elected as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the 263rd Special Meeting of the Conference of Rulers.

He works alongside the newly elected 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim of Johor, effective 31 January 2024.

Sultan Nazrin married Tuanku Zara Salim Davidson at the Istana Iskandariah, Bukit Chandan, on 17 May 2007.

The day after the wedding there was a ceremony to bestow Tuanku Zara Salim with the official title of Raja Puan Besar (Crown Princess) of Perak.

Sultan Nazrin's father proclaimed Tuanku Zara Salim as the Raja Puan Besar of Perak and conferred the Darjah Kerabat (Royal Family Order) on her.

He is the first child of Sultan Azlan Shah and his wife Tuanku Bainun binti Mohd Ali.

(Pahang), PhD (Harvard), The Sultan, Sovereign Ruler and Head of the Government of Perak Abode of Grace and its dependencies[7] He has been awarded: Several places were named after him, including: