King Abdullah II & the Monarchy

The Hashemites — Jordan's Royal Family

Jordan's constitutional monarchy is the most stable political system in the Middle East. The Hashemites trace their lineage directly from the Prophet Mohammed (41st generation), making them one of the oldest and most legitimate dynasties in the Islamic world.

King Abdullah II (born 1962, king since 1999) was educated in the West (Sandhurst, Georgetown) and speaks fluent English. He is married to Queen Rania, considered one of the most influential women in the Arab world, advocating for education and women's rights.

The monarchy enjoys broad support among the population — the king is seen as a guarantor of stability in an unstable region. Pictures of the king hang in every shop, restaurant, and taxi. This is partly obligatory, partly genuine admiration.

Important for travelers: Criticism of the king is taboo — public insult of the monarchy is punishable. But in practice, this is not a problem: Most Jordanians speak respectfully and often lovingly about their king.