Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco facts for kids

Princess Lalla Meryem (born August 26, 1962) is the first daughter and oldest child of the late King Hassan II of Morocco. Her mother is Princess Lalla Latifa. Princess Lalla Meryem is known for her important work in social and cultural areas. She especially champions the rights of women and children around the world.

About Princess Lalla Meryem

Early Life and School

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.

She went to the Royal College in Rabat for her primary and secondary education. After finishing school in 1981, her father, King Hassan II, gave her an important job. She became the President of Social Works for the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. Princess Lalla Meryem also studied at the Mohammed V University in Rabat. She earned a degree in sociology, which is the study of how people live together in groups.

Her Work and Activities

Princess Lalla Meryem holds many important positions. She uses her royal status to help others, especially women and children. She works to protect their rights on a global scale.

She is the President of several organizations, including:

• The Hassan II Foundation for social work for former soldiers (since 1981).
• The Moroccan association that supports UNICEF (since 1993).
• The National Observatory for the Rights of the Child (since 1994).
• The Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans living abroad (since 1995).
• The Al Karam Association (since 1997).
• The INSAF Association, which works for the rights of women and children (since 2000).
• The National Union of Moroccan Women (since 2003).

In July 2001, UNESCO named her a Goodwill Ambassador. Her role focuses on UNESCO projects that help women and children. She is also part of the Honorary Committee for the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children.

In 2002, a group called the 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 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 and covers a large area. It is a beautiful green space for people to enjoy.

Her Family

On September 15, 1984, Princess Lalla Meryem married Fuad Filali. He 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:

• Her daughter, Sharifa Lalla Soukaïna Filali, was born on April 30, 1986. She married Mohammed El Mehdi Regragui in 2014. They later divorced in 2019. Lalla Soukaïna has twins, born on September 27, 2015:
  • Moulay Hassan Regragui
  • Lalla Aya Regragui
• Her son, Sharif Moulay Idris Dekkar Filali, was born on March 21, 1988.

Princess Lalla Meryem and Fuad Filali divorced in 1998.

Awards and Honours

From Morocco

• Grand Cordon of the Order of the Throne. This is a very high honour in Morocco.

From Other Countries

• Honorary Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (United Kingdom, 1980).
• Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry (Portugal, 1994).
• Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spain, 2000).
• Grand Cordon of the Order of Merit (Lebanon, 2001).