Jordan’s Prince Muhammed bin Talal, the younger brother of the late King Hussein and his crown prince for 10 years, died on Thursday at the age of 80, the royal palace said. Seven days of official mourning was declared by Jordan. The UAE President, Sheikh Khalifa, sent condolences to King Abdullah. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, sent similar messages to the Jordanian king. Prince Muhammed finished his primary and secondary education in Amman, Switzerland, and the UK, and he enrolled in the Military Academy in Baghdad in 1956 and 1957. He then enlisted in the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, in the 1st Special Royal Guards Battalion. Prince Muhammed was crown prince to King Hussein from 1952 to 1962. He was also head of the council of tribal leaders and special representative of King Hussein, as well as regent when his brother travelled abroad. Prince Muhammed passed away while carrying the honorary rank of field marshal and he received a number of high-level medals in Jordan and other countries. He made distinguished contributions in the social, cultural and youth sectors, including an honorary presidency of the Royal Jordanian Chess Federation and the Royal Jordanian Shooting Federation. He is survived by his wife, Princess Taghrid, and two sons from a previous marriage. His funeral will be held on Friday.
