KING ABDULLAH
His Majesty King Abdullah II is the 43rd generation direct descendant of the
Prophet Muhammad. King Abdullah assumed his constitutional powers as King of the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on February 7,1999, the day his father, the late
King Hussein, passed away.
Born in Amman on January 30, 1962, His Majesty is the eldest son of the late
King Hussein and has four brothers and six sisters. King Abdullah began his
education at the Islamic Educational College and received his secondary
education at St. Edmund?s School in Surrey, England, Eaglebrook School in
Massachusetts, then at Deerfield Academy in the United States of America. In
1980, King Abdullah entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United
Kingdom, where he received his military education.
King Abdullah attended Oxford University in 1984, undergoing a one-year Special
Studies course in International Politics and World Affairs. Upon returning home,
His Majesty continued his military path, gaining experience and working his way
to the rank of Captain and the Commander of a Tank Company in the 91st Armored
Brigade. From 1986-1987, also as Captain, His Majesty was attached to the Royal
Jordanian Air Force?s Helicopter Anti-Tank Wing as a Tactics Instructor, where
he received qualification as a Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot.
In 1987, King Abdullah attended the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown
University in Washington, D.C., and was in residence as a Mid-Career Fellow. He
undertook Advanced Study and Research in International Affairs under the
auspices of the Master of Science in Foreign Service Program.
Upon returning home, His Majesty was assigned to the 17th Tank Battalion, 2nd
Royal Guards Brigade and in the summer of 1989, he became Battalion 2nd-in-Command,
with the rank of Major. In 1991, King Abdullah was the Armor Representative in
the Office of the Inspector General. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel at the end
of the year and assumed command of the 2nd Armored Car Regiment in the 40th
Brigade.
Upon handing over the battalion in January 1993, King Abdullah was promoted to
full Colonel and assigned as deputy commander of the Jordanian Special Forces.
In June 1994 he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, and assumed
command of the Royal Jordanian Special Forces, after having served as Deputy
Commander for six months. His Majesty was appointed Commander of the Special
Operations Command on October 1997, and in May 1998, he was promoted to the rank
of Major General.
In addition to his career as an army officer, King Abdullah has served his
country many times in the official capacity of Regent in the absence of His
Majesty King Hussein, and he regularly traveled with the late King Hussein.
Before his accession to the throne, King Abdullah represented Jordan and his
late father on visits to many countries throughout the world, and developed
close relationships with leaders and officials of a number of Arab countries
during the course of his career.
King Abdullah is committed to building on the legacy left by the late King
Hussein to further Jordan?s democratic institutionalization and political
pluralism, while working for a just and comprehensive peace. Following in his
late father?s footsteps, King Abdullah has placed great emphasis on improving
Jordan?s economy and streamlining the government which will lay the foundations
to allow Jordan to enter the next century with confidence.
King Abdullah married Queen Rania on June 10, 1993. Their Majesties have one son,
Prince al-Hussein, born June 28, 1994, and one daughter, Princess Iman, born
September 27, 1996.
King Abdullah is a qualified frogman, pilot and a free-fall parachutist. His
other interests include car racing (he is a former Jordanian National Rally
Racing Champion), water sports, scuba diving and collecting ancient weapons and
armaments.
His Majesty King Abdullah II is the 43rd generation direct descendant of the
Prophet Muhammad. King Abdullah assumed his constitutional powers as King of the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on February 7,1999, the day his father, the late
King Hussein, passed away.
Born in Amman on January 30, 1962, His Majesty is the eldest son of the late
King Hussein and has four brothers and six sisters. King Abdullah began his
education at the Islamic Educational College and received his secondary
education at St. Edmund?s School in Surrey, England, Eaglebrook School in
Massachusetts, then at Deerfield Academy in the United States of America. In
1980, King Abdullah entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United
Kingdom, where he received his military education.
King Abdullah attended Oxford University in 1984, undergoing a one-year Special
Studies course in International Politics and World Affairs. Upon returning home,
His Majesty continued his military path, gaining experience and working his way
to the rank of Captain and the Commander of a Tank Company in the 91st Armored
Brigade. From 1986-1987, also as Captain, His Majesty was attached to the Royal
Jordanian Air Force?s Helicopter Anti-Tank Wing as a Tactics Instructor, where
he received qualification as a Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot.
In 1987, King Abdullah attended the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown
University in Washington, D.C., and was in residence as a Mid-Career Fellow. He
undertook Advanced Study and Research in International Affairs under the
auspices of the Master of Science in Foreign Service Program.
Upon returning home, His Majesty was assigned to the 17th Tank Battalion, 2nd
Royal Guards Brigade and in the summer of 1989, he became Battalion 2nd-in-Command,
with the rank of Major. In 1991, King Abdullah was the Armor Representative in
the Office of the Inspector General. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel at the end
of the year and assumed command of the 2nd Armored Car Regiment in the 40th
Brigade.
Upon handing over the battalion in January 1993, King Abdullah was promoted to
full Colonel and assigned as deputy commander of the Jordanian Special Forces.
In June 1994 he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, and assumed
command of the Royal Jordanian Special Forces, after having served as Deputy
Commander for six months. His Majesty was appointed Commander of the Special
Operations Command on October 1997, and in May 1998, he was promoted to the rank
of Major General.
In addition to his career as an army officer, King Abdullah has served his
country many times in the official capacity of Regent in the absence of His
Majesty King Hussein, and he regularly traveled with the late King Hussein.
Before his accession to the throne, King Abdullah represented Jordan and his
late father on visits to many countries throughout the world, and developed
close relationships with leaders and officials of a number of Arab countries
during the course of his career.
King Abdullah is committed to building on the legacy left by the late King
Hussein to further Jordan?s democratic institutionalization and political
pluralism, while working for a just and comprehensive peace. Following in his
late father?s footsteps, King Abdullah has placed great emphasis on improving
Jordan?s economy and streamlining the government which will lay the foundations
to allow Jordan to enter the next century with confidence.
King Abdullah married Queen Rania on June 10, 1993. Their Majesties have one son,
Prince al-Hussein, born June 28, 1994, and one daughter, Princess Iman, born
September 27, 1996.
King Abdullah is a qualified frogman, pilot and a free-fall parachutist. His
other interests include car racing (he is a former Jordanian National Rally
Racing Champion), water sports, scuba diving and collecting ancient weapons and
armaments.