Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Princess Lalla Meryem |
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| Born | 26 August 1962 Piazza del Popolo, Rome, Italy |
| Spouse |
Fuad Filali
(m. 1984; div. 1997) |
| Dynasty | Alaouite |
| Father | King Hassan II of Morocco |
| Mother | Princess Lalla Latifa |
| Religion | Islam |
Princess Lalla Meryem was born on August 26, 1962. She is the first daughter and oldest child of the late King Hassan II of Morocco and his wife, Princess Lalla Latifa.
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Meet Princess Lalla Meryem
Princess Lalla Meryem was born in Rome, Italy. She is the oldest of her siblings. Her brothers and sisters are King Mohammed VI, Lalla Asma, Lalla Hasna, and Prince Moulay Rachid.
Her School Days
Princess Lalla Meryem went to the Royal College in Rabat for her primary and secondary education. At school, she learned Arabic and French. She also speaks 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. There, she earned a Bachelor's degree in sociology, which is the study of how people live and interact in groups.
Helping Others: Her Important Work
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. She speaks up for their rights around the world.
She is the President of several organizations, including:
- (1981) Hassan II Foundation for the social works of former soldiers.
- (1993) Moroccan association that supports UNICEF.
- (1994) National Observatory for the Rights of the Child. This group watches over children's rights.
- (1995) Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans living outside Morocco.
- (1997) Al Karam Association.
- (2000) INSAF Association, which works to respect the rights of women and children.
- (2003) National Union of Moroccan Women (UNFM).
In July 2001, she became a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Her role as an ambassador focuses on UNESCO projects that help women and children. She is also a member of the Honorary Committee for the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children.
In 2002, the former Moroccan League for Child Protection was reorganized. It became the "Center Lalla Meryem for abandoned children" in Rabat. In the same year, Princess Lalla Meryem led a big meeting in Marrakesh. This meeting was about children's rights and human safety. Many international groups like UNESCO and UNICEF attended.
In July 2003, King Mohammed VI gave Princess Lalla Meryem a higher rank. She became a senior colonel in the Royal Armed Forces.
In July 2007, she opened the "Lalla Meryem Park" in Oujda. This park is named after her. It covers two hectares (about five acres) and is located near the old city.
Her Family Life
On September 15, 1984, Princess Lalla Meryem married Fuad Filali. He was born in 1957 and was the former CEO of ONA Group. His father was Abdellatif Filali, a former Prime Minister.
Princess Lalla Meryem and Fuad Filali had two children:
- Sharifa Lalla Soukaïna Filali, born on April 30, 1986, in Rabat. She went to the Royal College. She 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. They divorced in 2019. They have twins, Moulay Hassan Regragui and Lalla Aya Regragui, born on September 27, 2015.
- Sharif Moulay Idris Filali, born on March 21, 1988, in Rabat. He also graduated from the Royal College. He continued his studies at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane. After finishing university, he started a career in London.
Princess Lalla Meryem and Fuad Filali divorced in 1997. Princess Lalla Meryem kept custody of her children.
Awards and Recognitions
Princess Lalla Meryem has received several honors from Morocco and other countries.
National Honors
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Throne. This is a high honor in Morocco.
Foreign Honors
- Honorary Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order from the United Kingdom (October 27, 1980).
- Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry from the Portuguese Republic (August 25, 1994).
- Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic from the Kingdom of Spain (September 16, 2000).
- Grand Cordon of the Order of Merit from the Lebanese Republic (July 17, 2001).
Award
- Gold Medal of the Hariri Foundation (2001).
See also
In Spanish: Lalla Meryem para niños
