Nagmani
Published
Whether it’s studying aviation, attending a climate change summit, meeting politicians and royalty or welcoming visiting Palestinian children, Prince Moulay Hassan is unfazed by it all.
Morocco is often described as North Africa’s most beautiful country with a rich culture and history, and architectural buildings that dazzle visitors. It is also home to a royal family with global appeal.
King Mohammed VI and his wife, princess Lalla Salma, have two children: the crown prince Moulay Hassan, 16, and princess Lalla Khadija, 12. Moulay, who will succeed his father as king one day, is making a big impression on people who meet him – and not just because his family net worth is estimated at US$5.7 billion.
Here are six things you need to know about Moulay:
1. Moroccan education
Prince Moulay Hassan wants to study aviation. Photo: Instagram
Moulay has shown a preference for studying aviation, which will be a first for his family. His father studied law. To pursue his dream, Moulay will have to sit entrance exams to the prestigious Royal Aeronautical School-CRPTA. When Moulay was born, a 21-gun salute was dedicated to him to mark the happy occasion.
2. Ambassadorial qualities
The crown prince (left) is involved in royal activities alongside his father, King Mohammed VI (centre) and his uncle, Prince Moulay Rachid. Photo: handout
He is aware of the responsibilities that are part of being one of the royal family, and is often seen alongside the king at major events internationally and in Morocco. One year ago, both attended the funeral of Henri d’Orleans, count of Paris and duke of France. Last year, the crown prince presided over the opening ceremony of the 14th International Agricultural Exhibition (SIAM) in Morocco.
Prince Moulay and King Mohammed VI flank French President Emmanuel Macron at the International Climate Summit in Paris in 2017. Photo: Instagram
Moulay was the youngest participant at the One Planet Summit in France in 2017, when he gained international acclaim. In this respect, he is following in his father’s footsteps.
Prince Moulay greets Prince Harry and Megan Markle. Photo: Instagram
In 2019, Moulay greeted Prince Harry and Megan Markle at the Royal Guest Palace in Rabat.
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3. Private jet
The crown prince has his own Gulfstream G650 jet. Photo: Twitter
He travels around the world in his US$67.4 million Gulfstream G650 jet. It’s said to be one of the most expensive and most powerful VIP jets available. Its licence plate “CN-AMH” means “Altesse” (or “Majesty”) which gives him the privilege of being denoted as “Majesty Moulay Hassan” all the time. It can fly 14,000km non-stop and can seat eight passengers and four crew members. The jet is fitted with a US$20 million Israeli J-Music missile defence system.
4. Sports circuits
The crown prince walks into a Moroccan soccer stadium. Photo: Instagram
Moulay’s popularity in Morocco can be gauged by the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan in Marrakech and Rabat’s 12,000-seater Stade Moulay Hassan both being named after him.
5. Family holidays
Princess Lalla Salma rented the luxury yacht Serenity for a family holiday in Greece in July 2019. Photo: Facebook
He loves going on holidays with his family. In September 2019, he had a good time in New York with his mother and sister. During a trip to the Greek island of Skiathos in July 2019, they rented a luxury yacht named Serenity, which costs euros €550,000 (US$596,000) per week.
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6. C ommunity spirit
Prince Moulay is learning from his father in how to contribute to the wider community. Photo: Instagram
He cares deeply about the world, and works closely with his father to make sure Morocco is a peaceful place for people from all walks of life. In 2017, Moulay gave a warm welcome to visiting Palestinian children, while introducing them to Morocco’s culture.
Nagmani is an Indian journalist whose reporting is focused on luxury fashion, arts and culture with a particular interest in human stories from war zones. His work has appeared in Arab News- the Middle East’s newspaper of record and the biggest English language daily in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Global Times China-an English-language Chinese newspaper and magazines such as Velvet Magazine Dubai, Sayidaty English, Signature Oman, Sur la terre Doha, HUCK London – a global magazine exploring the many facets of radical culture, be it surf, skate, snow, music, art, activism, pop culture, the environment and the world beyond and many more.
