The death of Princess Lalla Latifa, mother of King Mohammed VI, plunges Morocco into mourning. In a rare diplomatic gesture, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is the first head of state to offer his condolences, potentially opening a new era in Algerian-Moroccan relations.
The Cherifian kingdom loses its “mother of royal children”
Morocco is in mourning following the announcement of the death of Princess Lalla Latifa, which occurred this Saturday, June 29, 2024 at the age of 78. A discreet but influential figure in the Moroccan royal family, Lalla Latifa left her mark on the history of the Cherifian kingdom. Wife of the late King Hassan II, she gave birth to five children, including the current King Mohammed VI.
Although she never held official office, in accordance with Moroccan protocol, she was affectionately known as the “mother of the royal children.” Her discretion and devotion to her family made her a respected figure in Moroccan society.
The Royal Palace press release announced the sad news, calling for divine mercy for the deceased. The funeral should bring together many national and international personalities, testifying to the importance of Lalla Latifa in the recent history of Morocco.
A life marked by changes and challenges
Lalla Latifa’s final years were marked by health concerns. After spending much of her life in Morocco, she moved to France in the early 2000s, where her declining health caused concern among Moroccans. King Mohammed VI made regular trips to France to be at his mother’s bedside, a testament to their deep bond despite past tensions. Indeed, after the death of King Hassan II in 1999, Lalla Latifa married Mohamed Médiouri, her late husband’s former bodyguard, a union that initially drew her son’s disapproval. However, over time, Mohammed VI eventually accepted the marriage, restoring family harmony.
The death of Lalla Latifa thus marks the end of a tumultuous but rich era, plunging the entire Shereef kingdom into unanimous mourning.
A hand extended beyond borders
In a notable diplomatic gesture, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was the first head of state to extend his condolences to the Moroccan sovereign. In a message full of compassion, President Tebboune expressed his sadness at the loss, stating: ” I was saddened to hear the news of your mother’s death. » He presented his sincere condolences on behalf of the Algerian people, praying that the deceased be “surrounded by the holy mercy of Allah” and welcomed “among the pious and the saints« .
This prompt reaction from the Algerian president comes in a context of tense relations between Algeria and Morocco, suggesting a diplomatic opening in this period of mourning. This gesture could be interpreted as a sign of goodwill from Algeria and a call for rapprochement between the two Maghreb nations.
As the kingdom enters a period of mourning, President Tebboune’s initiative paves the way for a warming of relations between the two neighboring countries. Thus, the death of Lalla Latifa not only marks the end of an era for the Moroccan royal family, but could also usher in a new chapter in the region’s diplomatic relations.
