The birth of a royal baby is always a cause for celebration. King Mohammed VI took things one step further upon the birth of his baby girl, Lalla Khadija, on February 28, 2007. Morocco’s beloved Princess Lalla Khadija is the younger child of King Mohammed VI of Morocco and Princess Lalla Salma.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco and his family. Source: Wikipedia
Early Life and Education
At first, Lalla Khadija was raised out of the public eye, living away from the royal palace, or Dar al-Makhzen. King Mohammed and Lalla Salma dropped off their daughter for her first day at school at the Royal College in 2011 - the year the royal couple divorced. Since 2011, Princess Lalla Khadija has attended the Royal College of Rabat.
Throughout her education, the Princess is said to have excelled in sport and the arts. When she was younger, Princess Lalla Khadija was known as a hardworking and smart girl. She was also very disciplined. Lalla Khadija is passionate about music and plays two instruments, piano and guitar. Her favorite sports are swimming and horse riding.
Languages and Skills
She is very good at languages and can speak four different ones. A polyglot, Lalla Khadija is fluent in Arabic, French, English, and Spanish, giving her all the tools of a formidable diplomat. The seventeen-year-old princess is reportedly an accomplished student at the Royal College of Rabat, speaking Arabic, French, English and Spanish fluently.
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Public Appearances and Royal Duties
Since she was 11, the 15-year-old teen has attended royal ceremonies and enjoys lavish holidays in New York, Paris and Greece. There is a longstanding tradition of familiarising young royals with their future roles early among the Alawi dynasty.
On November 17, 2016, Princess Lalla Khadija visited the COP22 conference in Marrakech. She went with her brother, Moulay Hassan, and their classmates. They explored the Morocco and Africa areas. On December 13, 2019, she opened the vivarium at the National Zoological Garden of Rabat. A vivarium is a place where animals are kept in natural-like settings.
In February 2019, aged just 12, she hosted King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain on a royal visit to Morocco. Only a month later, she impressed the nation by welcoming Pope Francis, wearing a beautifully embroidered blue kaftan.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain on a royal visit to Morocco. Source: Wikipedia
She made her return to public duty in October 2024, joiningCrown Prince Moulay at a formal reception for French president Emmanuel Macron and the First Lady Brigitte Macron. She accompanied her father as he signed a series of international agreements with the French head of state, then lent her presence to an official state dinner. The ceremony marked Lalla Khadija’s first public engagement in several years.
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The royal siblings were in Rabat on Monday to launch a nationwide charity scheme, Ramadan 1446. Promoted by the Mohammed V Foundation, the project aims to distribute 34,280 tons of foodstuffs to 5 million people across Morocco during the Islamic holy month. Princess Lalla Khadija delivered 20 food baskets to local families during the outing.
The Royal Moroccan Archery Federation created a special event in her honor. Her only appearance during this period was at the 2023 Throne Day celebration. She was seen in the back of the royal car, through a slightly tinted window. Princess Lalla Khadija returned to public engagements on October 28, 2024. She welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron to Morocco.
Future Role
While Princess Lalla Khadija will never be Queen of Morocco, her elegance, intelligence, and wealth of experience with royal engagements will no doubt be a cornerstone of support - as well as an admirable public servant in her own right - when her brother inherits the throne.
Princess Lalla Meryem
Princess Lalla Meryem was born in Rome, Italy, on August 26, 1962. She is the oldest of her siblings. Princess Lalla Meryem went to the Royal College in Rabat for her primary and secondary education. At school, she learned Arabic and French and is also proficient in Spanish which she learned from her Spanish nanny. After finishing high school in 1981, her father appointed her as the President of Social Works for the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. She continued her studies at the Mohammed V University in Rabat.
Princess Lalla Meryem holds many important roles. She focuses a lot of her time on social and cultural activities. Using her royal position, she works to help women and children. In July 2001, she became a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Her role as an ambassador focuses on UNESCO projects that help women and children. In 2002, the former Moroccan League for Child Protection was reorganized and became the "Center Lalla Meryem for abandoned children" in Rabat. In the same year, Princess Lalla Meryem led a big meeting in Marrakesh about children's rights and human safety. In July 2003, King Mohammed VI gave Princess Lalla Meryem a higher rank. In July 2007, she opened the "Lalla Meryem Park" in Oujda, which is named after her.
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On September 15, 1984, Princess Lalla Meryem married Fuad Filali, who was born in 1957 and was the former CEO of ONA Group. Sharifa Lalla Soukaïna Filali was born on April 30, 1986, in Rabat. She went to the Royal College and then studied at Science Po Paris and Paris 2. In 2010, she earned her Master's degree in marketing and communication. On May 28, 2014, she married Mohammed El Mehdi Regragui, but they divorced in 2019. Sharif Moulay Idris Filali was born on March 21, 1988, in Rabat. He also graduated from the Royal College and continued his studies at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane. Princess Lalla Meryem and Fuad Filali divorced in 1997.
Holder of numerous prestigious official functions, Princess Meryem has focused much of her activities on the social and cultural realm. Using her Royal status, she continues her work on behalf of women and children and advocate their rights on an international level.
| Name | Born | Education | Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Lalla Meryem | August 26, 1962 | Royal College in Rabat, Mohammed V University in Rabat | President of Social Works of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador |
| Sharifa Lalla Soukaïna Filali | April 30, 1986 | Royal College, Science Po Paris, Paris 2, ISCAE in Rabat | Master's degree in marketing and communication |
| Sharif Moulay Idris Filali | March 21, 1988 | Royal College, Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane | Graduated from Royal College, Studied at Al Akhawayn University |
Princess Lalla Khadija of Morocco Lifestyle
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