Morocco king's mother passes away, UAE offers condolences

Princess Lalla Latifa, the mother of Morocco's King Mohammed VI and the widow of his father King Hassan II, died on Saturday, a royal palace spokesman said.

Morocco's MAP news agency carried a statement which read: "The Official Spokesperson for the Royal Palace announces, with great sadness and deep sorrow, the passing of HRH Princess Lalla Latifa, may she rest in peace, on Saturday."

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of sincere condolences to King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco on the passing of his mother, Princess Lalla Latifa.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, dispatched similar messages to the Moroccan King.

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed said on X, “I extend my sincere condolences and sympathy to King Mohammed VI of Morocco and his family on the passing of his mother, Princess Lalla Latifa. May God have mercy on her and rest her soul in eternal peace.”

“Our condolences to the brotherly Moroccan people and to His Majesty King Mohammed VI on the death of his mother, Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Latifa, may God have mercy on her and cover her with his vast mercy... and inspire her family and loved ones, the royal family and the brotherly Moroccan people with patience and solace... and we belong to God and to Him we shall return,” wrote Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid on X.

The king’s mother had no official responsibilities in the North African country and did not carry out public engagements. After her husband died in 1999, foreign media reports said she married the late king’s head of security and divided her time between Morocco and France.

Mohammed VI ascended to the throne in July 1999 upon the death of his father. Agencies

Agence France-Presse