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Is the King of Jordan Married to an American?

Published in Jordanian Monarchy 2 mins read

No, the current King of Jordan, King Abdullah II, is not married to an American.

The reigning monarch of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, King Abdullah II, is married to Queen Rania Al-Abdullah. Queen Rania was born in Kuwait to Palestinian parents and holds Jordanian citizenship. She is widely recognized for her extensive work in various fields, including education reform, community empowerment, youth advocacy, and promoting cross-cultural understanding.

Historical Context: An American Queen of Jordan

While the current King's wife is not American, a prominent figure in Jordan's royal history was indeed American-born. Queen Noor, born Lisa Najeeb Halaby on August 23, 1951, in Washington, D.C., U.S., was an American-born architect who became the consort of King Hussein of Jordan, King Abdullah II's father.

  • Early Life and Background: Queen Noor was born into a prominent Arab American family and was raised in an affluent environment in the United States.
  • Role as Consort: She served as King Hussein's consort from 1978 until his death in 1999.
  • Key Contributions: During her time as Queen, she was actively involved in numerous initiatives focusing on development, women's empowerment, and peace-building, including significant work on land mines.

This historical fact underscores that while the present Queen Consort is not American, the Jordanian monarchy has previously had an American-born Queen, Queen Noor, who played a significant role in the country's recent history.