Succession to the Moroccan Throne
On July 23, 1999, Sidi Mohammed ascended to the throne at the age of 35, adopting the name Mohammed VI, following the death of his father, Hassan II. Just a week later, he was officially proclaimed the twenty-third sovereign of the Alaouite dynasty and the Commander of the Faithful. Initially, his younger brother, Prince Moulay Rachid, was designated as the heir apparent, as the new king was unmarried and without children at that time. The line of succession to the Moroccan throne is clearly defined by Article 43 of the 2011 Constitution, which states, "The Crown of Morocco and its constitutional rights are hereditary and passed from father to son among direct male descendants in order of primogeniture." This legal framework underscores the monarchy's adherence to a traditional lineage, ensuring that the royal bloodline remains intact and stable.
Currently, the designated successor to King Mohammed VI is his son, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, who has held this title since his birth in 2003. However, the king retains a significant prerogative; he has the authority to appoint another son as his heir during his lifetime, even if that son is not the eldest. In circumstances where the monarch does not have a male descendant, the Constitution stipulates that the crown shall pass to the nearest male relative from a collateral branch of the royal family. This provision is crucial for maintaining the stability of a centuries-old institution and preventing any potential power vacuums.
Current Line of Succession
The current line of succession to the Moroccan throne is as follows:
- Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, the eldest son of King Mohammed VI and Princess Lalla Salma, born on May 8, 2003.
- Prince Moulay Rachid, the younger brother of King Mohammed VI and son of King Hassan II and Princess Lalla Latifa, born on June 20, 1970.
- Prince Moulay Ahmed, the eldest son of Prince Moulay Rachid and Princess Lalla Oum Keltoum, born on June 23, 2016.
- Prince Moulay Abdeslam, the younger son of Prince Moulay Rachid and Princess Lalla Oum Keltoum, born on June 1, 2022.
Following them in the line of succession are the descendants of the late Prince Moulay Abdellah, the younger brother of King Hassan II, who passed away in 1983:
- Prince Moulay Hicham, the eldest son of Prince Moulay Abdellah and Princess Lalla Lamia, born on March 4, 1964. Notably, Prince Hicham has been exiled from the palace since King Mohammed VI's accession to the throne in July 1999 due to his anti-monarchical stance, often advocating for the democratization of the Moroccan regime.
- Prince Moulay Ismaïl, the younger son of Prince Moulay Abdellah and Princess Lalla Lamia, born on December 31, 1981.
- Prince Moulay Abdallah, the eldest son of Prince Moulay Ismaïl and Anissa Lehmkuhl, born on June 17, 2010.
As reported by fr.news.yahoo.com.
