Prince Mohamed Ali Farouk has returned to Cairo, expressing gratitude towards late King Hassan II for enabling his birth in Egypt during his family’s exile. This marks a significant reconnection with Egypt’s royal history. His wife’s support and a focus on preserving royal heritage underscore his aims, while echoes of historical tensions with Morocco reveal a complex past between the nations’ leaders.
Prince Mohamed Ali Farouk, the grandson of Egypt’s last king, has returned to Cairo, expressing his gratitude towards the late King Hassan II. His birth was authorized in Cairo during his family’s exile, thanks to King Hassan II’s intervention with President Sadat. This diplomatic act in 1979 marked him as the first male royal family member to return to Egypt since the 1952 revolution.
Now 46 years old, Prince Mohamed Ali, who holds an Egyptian passport issued in 2020, is settling in Cairo after living primarily in France. He embodies a symbolic reconciliation between Egypt’s royalist and republican histories, stating, “For my father, Egypt was a lost homeland. For me, it is a rediscovered one.” The prince managed a technical real estate consulting firm in Paris before this transition.
His return was encouraged by his wife, Princess Noal Zaher, who desired a life in the Orient for herself and their children, allowing them to grow closer to their roots. “It was Noal who supported me throughout my reflection,” the prince remarked, highlighting her influence on this significant decision.
The prince’s appreciation for King Hassan II relates to a historic narrative of tension between the leaders of Morocco and Egypt. A notable incident occurred during a diplomatic dinner in the late 1950s when then-Crown Prince Hassan II noted President Nasser’s struggles with dinner etiquette, saying, “I don’t think eating turkey with a fork is harder than overthrowing King Farouk.” This moment signified the beginning of a long-standing rivalry.
Tensions escalated during the Sand War of 1963 between Morocco and Algeria, where Nasser supported Algeria with troops, leading to confrontations involving future Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. An attempted reconciliation between Hassan II and Nasser in 1965 ended in hostility, showcasing the fraught relationship between the two leaders, with Nasser emphasizing that those opposing Egypt would face dire consequences.
Only with the leadership of Anwar Sadat and later Hosni Mubarak did relations begin to improve. However, earlier apprehensions resurfaced under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, particularly in light of his diplomatic engagements. Egyptian military officials, nonetheless, justified actions regarding Algeria and affirmed support for Morocco’s claims over Western Sahara.
Today, Prince Mohamed Ali’s objective lies in restoring his family’s reputation rather than seeking political power. “I simply want to work on rehabilitating the image of my royal family and contribute to preserving and transmitting its historical, cultural, and artistic heritage,” he emphasized, advocating for the recognition of “150 years of history” deserving of honor.
Prince Mohamed Ali Farouk’s return to Egypt symbolizes a bridging of histories and a quest for acknowledgment of his family’s legacy. His gratitude towards King Hassan II highlights the complex relationships shaped by historical events. Although he now seeks to restore the royal family’s image without political ambition, the story reflects broader themes of reconciliation between historically opposing forces. Such narratives reaffirm the importance of cultural heritage and identity in contemporary contexts.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
