The Moroccan Monarchy
The royal 'Alawi dynasty has reigned over Morocco since the 17th century. In the early 20th century, the European powers vied for power in Morocco. Sultan Abd al-Aziz IV displeased Moroccans by cooperating with the Europeans and was deposed in 1908. His brother, Abd al-Hafiz, took the throne but abdicated after the kingdom became a French protectorate in 1912. He was succeeded by his brother Yusuf.
Yusuf's son Mohammed V, who became sultan in 1927, was a widely respected nationalist. He was deposed by the French in 1953, but the French returned Mohammed V to his throne in 1955. Morocco became independent the following year and Mohammed took the title of king.
Mohammed V died in 1961 and was succeeded by his son, King Hassan II. Although he was accused of human rights abuses, Hassan II is credited with maintaining unity in Morocco and working toward peace in the Middle East. He survived many attempts to topple him from his throne and permitted some democratic reforms.
King Hassan died in 1999. The current monarch is his son, King Mohammed VI. Like his father, King Mohammed has almost complete control over Morocco's government.
The king and his wife, Princess Lalla Salma, married in 2002. Their son, Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, was born in 2003, followed by a daughter, Princess Lalla Khadija, in 2007.
Yusuf's son Mohammed V, who became sultan in 1927, was a widely respected nationalist. He was deposed by the French in 1953, but the French returned Mohammed V to his throne in 1955. Morocco became independent the following year and Mohammed took the title of king.
Mohammed V died in 1961 and was succeeded by his son, King Hassan II. Although he was accused of human rights abuses, Hassan II is credited with maintaining unity in Morocco and working toward peace in the Middle East. He survived many attempts to topple him from his throne and permitted some democratic reforms.
King Hassan died in 1999. The current monarch is his son, King Mohammed VI. Like his father, King Mohammed has almost complete control over Morocco's government.
The king and his wife, Princess Lalla Salma, married in 2002. Their son, Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, was born in 2003, followed by a daughter, Princess Lalla Khadija, in 2007.
