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Queen Rania does not wear a hijab and Princess Salma is a jet pilot in the Jordanian Army. King Abdullah II’s family reflects a blend of Islamic identity with a modern public life
A 43rd-generation direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, King Abdullah II, and his wife, Queen Rania, have four children, who are raised and educated in some of the finest Western institutions. (Instagram/@queenrania)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Jordan, where he is scheduled to meet King Abdullah II. The visit will focus on discussions around friendship and strengthening bilateral ties. However, alongside diplomacy, global attention has turned to King Abdullah II’s remarkable family.
A 43rd-generation direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, King Abdullah II leads a Muslim nation, yet his family life reflects a distinctly modern outlook. His wife, Queen Rania, is regarded as one of the world’s most elegant and influential queens. At the same time, the King himself is a trained pilot, a science fiction enthusiast, and one of the most respected Muslim leaders in the Western world.
A Royal Family Raised In The West
King Abdullah II and Queen Rania have four children, all of whom were raised and educated in some of the finest Western institutions. Their upbringing and lifestyle are so distinctive that they often surprise even Western audiences. Let us take a closer look at the Jordanian royal family.
Crown Prince Hussein: The Heir To The Throne
Born in 1994, Crown Prince Hussein is the eldest son and the future King of Jordan. He studied International History at Georgetown University in the United States and later underwent military training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Britain, following the path of his father and grandfather.
He currently serves as a Captain in the Jordanian Army and frequently accompanies King Abdullah on diplomatic engagements. Recently, he married Saudi architect Rajwa Al Saif in a grand ceremony that drew international attention.
Princess Iman: A Reflection Of Her Mother
Princess Iman, born in 1996, is often described as a mirror image of Queen Rania. She studied at Georgetown University and later at the Parsons School of Design in New York. A keen sportsperson, she is also an accomplished horse rider.
In 2023, she married Jamil Alexander Thermiotis, a Venezuelan-born financier.
Princess Salma: Breaking Stereotypes In Uniform
Born in 2000, Princess Salma shattered traditional perceptions of royal women. After training at Sandhurst, she became the first female jet pilot in the Jordanian Army.
A princess from a Muslim country flying a fighter aircraft sent a powerful message across the world, redefining ideas of leadership, gender, and tradition.
Prince Hashim: The Youngest Royal
Prince Hashim, born in 2005, is the youngest of the four siblings. He recently graduated from King’s Academy in Jordan and is currently pursuing higher studies at Georgetown University in the United States.
Do The Royal Women Wear ‘Burqas’?
This is a question often asked, and the answer is unequivocal: no. Queen Rania Al-Abdullah is rarely seen wearing a hijab or burqa. She is frequently dressed in Western designer outfits, including trousers, skirts, and dresses, and appears confidently on global platforms.
In several interviews, Queen Rania has stated that in Islam, modesty is about one’s thoughts and conduct, not merely clothing. She has famously said, ‘There is no compulsion in religion. Whether or not to wear the hijab is a personal choice.’ She has also criticised the Western misconception that the hijab symbolises oppression or backwardness.
King Abdullah has never imposed conservative restrictions on the women in his family. His daughters, like their mother, dress in modern attires and appear in public without headscarves. This represents a significant shift in Jordanian society, with the royal family setting an example that modernity and faith can coexist.
Wealth, Leaks, And Royal Controversy
Although Jordan is a small nation, King Abdullah’s personal wealth has frequently made headlines. In 2021, the Pandora Papers leak alleged that the King had secretly purchased luxury properties in the United States and the United Kingdom worth over $100 million, or approximately Rs 800 crore.
Reports claimed he owned three high-end seaside villas and several properties in some of the world’s most expensive cities. The Credit Suisse leak later suggested that the King held Swiss bank accounts amounting to around Rs 20 billion.
The royal family rejected allegations of wrongdoing, stating that these properties were personal ancestral assets used for official purposes, security, and state visits, not for misappropriating public funds.
A King Who Walks Among His People
King Abdullah II is far from a monarch confined to palace walls. He is a trained pilot capable of flying Cobra attack helicopters and has a passion for adventure sports such as skydiving and scuba diving.
Few are aware that before ascending the throne, he made a cameo appearance in his favourite television series, Star Trek: Voyager. A lifelong science fiction enthusiast, he has actively promoted Jordan as a global filming destination. Hollywood productions such as The Martian and Aladdin were filmed in the country.
He is also known to disguise himself and walk the streets of Jordan to observe public services first-hand. On some occasions, he has posed as a taxi driver or an elderly citizen to assess conditions in hospitals and government offices.
Where Faith Meets Modernity
King Abdullah II and his family embody a rare balance between tradition and progress. While the King performs age-old Arab rituals and sword dances at royal celebrations, his daughter pilots a fighter jet, and his wife, dressed in jeans, speaks globally about women’s empowerment.
Their story goes beyond glamour and wealth. It sends a powerful message that a royal family can embrace modernity without abandoning faith or identity. Perhaps this harmony is one reason Jordan continues to stand as an island of stability and peace in a turbulent Middle East.
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. December 16, 2025, 09:06 IST
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