Talal of Jordan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Talal
Talal in 1950
King of Jordan
Reign	20 July 1951 – 11 August 1952
Coronation	20 July 1951
Predecessor	Abdullah I
Successor	Hussein
Prime Ministers	See list Tawfik Abu Al-Huda
Born	(1909-02-26)26 February 1909 Mecca, Hejaz Vilayet, Ottoman Empire
Died	7 July 1972(1972-07-07) (aged 63) Istanbul, Turkey
Burial	Raghadan Palace
Spouse	Zein al-Sharaf bint Jamil ​ (m. 1934)​
Issue	Hussein Prince Muhammad Prince Hassan Princess Basma
Full name Talal bin Abdullah bin Hussein bin Ali
House	Hashemite
Father	Abdullah I of Jordan
Mother	Musbah bint Nasser
Religion	Sunni Islam

Talal bin Abdullah (born February 26, 1909 – died July 7, 1972) was the King of Jordan. He ruled from July 20, 1951, after his father King Abdullah I passed away, until August 11, 1952. Talal was a member of the Hashemite family, which has been the royal family of Jordan since 1921. He was a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.

Talal was born in Mecca. He was the oldest child of Abdullah bin Hussein and his wife Musbah bint Nasser. His grandfather, Hussein bin Ali, led the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. After this revolt, his father Abdullah created the Emirate of Transjordan in 1921. This area later became a British Protectorate.

Talal received a private education in Amman. He later joined Transjordan's Arab Legion, which was their army. He became a second lieutenant in 1927. By 1948, he was a general. When Jordan became an independent kingdom in 1946, Talal became the crown prince.

Talal became king after his father was assassinated in 1951. His most important achievement as king was creating Jordan's modern constitution in 1952. This made Jordan a constitutional monarchy, meaning the king's power was limited by laws. He ruled for a short time, less than 13 months. He had to step down because of a mental illness. Talal spent the rest of his life in Istanbul and passed away there in 1972. His oldest son, Hussein, became the next king.

Early Life and Education

Talal was born in Mecca, a holy city. He was the first child of Abdullah and his wife Musbah bint Nasser. His father, Abdullah, was a leader in the Ottoman Parliament. Talal's grandfather, Hussein bin Ali, was the traditional guardian of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

In 1916, Talal's grandfather and his sons led the Great Arab Revolt. This was a fight against the Ottoman Empire. After the Ottomans were removed, Arab kingdoms were set up. Talal's father, Abdullah, established the Emirate of Transjordan in 1921. This area was protected by Britain.

Talal spent his early years with his mother. He received private lessons in Amman. In 1927, he joined Transjordan's army, called the Arab Legion, as a second lieutenant. He also helped his grandfather, Sharif Hussein, when he was living in Cyprus. By 1948, Talal had become a general in the army.

Talal also studied at the British Army's Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He graduated in 1929. After that, he served in the Cavalry Regiment of the Arab Legion. His regiment also worked with British regiments in Jerusalem and Baghdad.

Becoming King of Jordan

Talal became King of Jordan after his father, Abdullah I, was assassinated. This happened in Jerusalem. Talal's son, Hussein, was with his grandfather at the time and was almost harmed too.

On July 20, 1951, Prince Hussein went to Jerusalem with King Abdullah I for Friday prayers. An attacker, worried the king might make peace with Israel, killed Abdullah. Luckily, 15-year-old Hussein survived the attack.

King Talal's Rule and Achievements

During his time as king, Talal did something very important for Jordan. He helped create a new, more open constitution for the country. This new constitution made the government and its ministers responsible to the Jordanian Parliament. This meant they had to answer to the elected representatives of the people.

The new constitution was officially approved on January 1, 1952. King Talal also worked hard to improve relationships between Jordan and its neighboring Arab countries, like Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Some people believed King Talal had strong feelings against Britain. This was because Britain had not fully kept its promises to his grandfather, Sharif Hussein. These promises were about creating an independent Arab kingdom. However, others thought his feelings were more about his disagreements with his own father.

Historians have different views. Some say Talal truly disliked Britain's involvement in Jordan's affairs. They saw him as a "great patriotic anti-imperialist." This was different from his half-brother Naif, who was seen as more influenced by Britain.

Why King Talal Stepped Down

About a year after Talal became king, there were reports about his health. People said he was experiencing a mental illness. His wife, Queen Zein, and the Prime Minister, Tawfik Abu Al-Huda, also reported his condition.

Because of his health, Talal was sent to Paris for treatment. There was an incident where Queen Zein sought safety at the British embassy. She claimed Talal had threatened her.

The Prime Minister, Tawfik Abu al-Huda, tried to convince Talal to step down. But Talal did not want to. The Prime Minister then called a special meeting of both houses of parliament. He asked them to agree to remove Talal from the throne for "medical reasons," specifically mentioning schizophrenia. The parliament agreed unanimously.

Some army officers thought this was a plot against the king. But Talal's aide confirmed his mental condition. After Talal stepped down on August 11, 1952, his son Hussein was too young to rule. So, Prime Minister Abu al-Huda governed Jordan until Hussein became old enough on May 2, 1953.

Talal wanted to live in Saudi Arabia after stepping down. However, he was sent to live in a special care facility in Istanbul, Turkey. He passed away there on July 7, 1972. Talal was buried in the Royal Mausoleum at the Raghadan Palace in Amman.

King Talal's Legacy

Even though he ruled for a short time, King Talal is remembered for a very important reason. He helped create Jordan's modern constitution. This document is still a key part of how Jordan is governed today.

Family Life

In 1934, Talal married his cousin, Zein al-Sharaf. They had four sons and two daughters:

• King Hussein (born 1935 – died 1999)
• Princess Asma (died at birth in 1937)
• Prince Muhammad (born 1940 – died 2021)
• Prince Hassan (born 1947)
• Prince Muhsin (deceased)
• Princess Basma (born 1951)

Images for kids

• 

  King Talal of Jordan in Amman, 1951

• 

  King Talal in Lebanon, 1952

• 

  Crown Prince Talal of Jordan in Mecca, 1951

• 

  Crown Prince Talal of Jordan in Mecca drinking holy water, 1951

• 

  King Talal in 1952

• 

  King Talal in 1951 opening the parliament

• 

  King Talal of Jordan

• 

  King Talal and King Saud of Saudi Arabia

• 

  King Talal with his father King Abdullah I of Transjordan in 1946

• 

  King Talal and King Saud of Saudi Arabia

• 

  King Talal of Jordan and his son King Hussein in 1952

• 

  From left to right: Prince Hassan, Prince Hussein (later King Hussein), Princess Basma and Prince Muhammad

See also

• Hashemites
• List of kings of Jordan
• King Abdullah I
• King Hussein