Prince Mohamed Ali Farouk, the grandson of Egypt’s last king, has returned to Cairo, expressing gratitude for King Hassan II’s pivotal role in his birth amid exile. His return symbolizes a reconciliation between Egypt’s royalist and republican eras. Despite a historical backdrop of tensions between Morocco and Egypt, he focuses on rehabilitating his family’s image and preserving its heritage.
Prince Mohamed Ali Farouk, the grandson of Egypt’s last king, has made a significant return to Cairo, expressing his gratitude for the late King Hassan II’s critical intervention facilitating his birth in Egypt during his family’s exile. In a recent French interview with AFP, the 46-year-old prince acknowledged, “Thanks to King Hassan II’s support, who intervened with President Sadat, my mother Fadila was authorized to give birth in Cairo.” His return in 2020, as the first male member of the royal family to do so since the 1952 revolution, symbolizes a reconciliation between royalist and republican eras in Egypt.
Establishing himself in Cairo after years abroad, primarily in France, Prince Mohamed Ali holds an Egyptian passport and runs a technical real estate consulting firm in Paris. Reflecting on his family’s legacy, he remarked, “For my father, Egypt was a lost homeland. For me, it’s a rediscovered one.” His father, Fouad II, ascended the throne as a mere infant after King Farouk’s abdication in 1952, ruling only briefly during a regency.
Encouraged by his wife, Princess Noal Zaher from Afghanistan’s royal family, the prince felt inspired to return. “It was Noal who supported me throughout my reflection. She wanted to live in the Orient and wanted our children to grow up closer to their roots,” he stated.
The prince’s appreciation for King Hassan II is rooted in a complicated history marked by diplomatic tensions. Part of this history includes a pivotal moment in the late 1950s, during which Hassan II, then Crown Prince, remarked on President Nasser’s struggles at a state dinner. Nasser’s actions during the 1963 Sand War further heightened tensions as he deployed troops to support Algeria against Morocco, leading to significant confrontations.
Attempts at reconciliation were challenging, illustrated by a failed meeting in 1965 that escalated into hostility when Nasser pressured Morocco to sever ties with West Germany regarding Israel. King Hassan II’s refusal led to Nasser issuing threats, which provoked Hassan II to heighten military readiness.
Although relations improved with the presidencies of Anwar Sadat and Hosni Mubarak, tensions resurfaced during President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s term due to certain diplomatic incidents that raised concerns. However, Egypt has reiterated its support for Morocco’s sovereignty in Western Sahara.
Currently, Prince Mohamed Ali is focused on rebuilding his family’s image while eschewing any political ambitions. He believes in the importance of preserving his family’s historical and cultural heritage, asserting, “150 years of history deserve to be honored.”
In conclusion, Prince Mohamed Ali Farouk’s return to Egypt marks a significant moment in the reconciliation between the royalist and republican narratives of the nation’s history. His gratitude for King Hassan II’s intervention highlights the complexities of diplomatic relationships that have endured over decades. As he seeks to restore the image of his royal lineage without political aspirations, his efforts underscore the importance of historical heritage in contemporary Egypt.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
