King Ahmad Al-Khalil

His Majesty King Ahmad Al-Khalil I (Ahmad Moustafa Hassan Al-Khalil), styled His Majesty The King (born 6 July, 1980), is the reigning Monarch of the United Kingdom of Egypt and Sudan

Birth

King Ahmad I was born on 6 July 1980 at Koba Palace in Cairo to HRH The Prince Moustafa, The Nabil of Alexandria (later HM King Moustafa III), the eldest son of the divorced King Hassan II of Egypt and Sudan and Queen Gilan. His mother was Her Royal Highness The Nabila of Alexandria (née Princess Lamiaa of Satimon and later Queen Lamiaa)

As a grandson of the Egyptosudanese monarch in the male line, upon birth he became His Highness The Nabil Ahmad. At the time of his birth, he was second in the Order of Succession to the Sun Throne, behind his father Grand Prince Moustafa. When he was seven days old, his grandfather King Hassan II created him The Sharif of Khartoum. In 1995, his father assumed the throne, becoming King Moustafa III of the United Kingdom of Egypt and Sudan. The Nabil Ahmad immediately became The Grand Prince of Egypt and Sudan, The Nabil of Alexandria adhering to tradition of The Sublime Porte, which gave that title to the Sovereign's heir apparent. He was then referred to as HRH The Nabil of Alexandria.

Education

The young Nabil Ahmad was educated at home under the supervision of his mother, then the Nabila of Alexandria. He then attended the exclusive Victoria College in Alexandria where he studied Economics, Political Science, History, and modern languages. He now speaks fluent French and English as he has shown on several occasions. He was instructed in religion by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. He attended university at the University of Cairo where he studied International Relations, Diplomacy, and Government Studies earning a first class Bachelor's degree in 1999. He earned a Masters in Political Science in 2001 from the University of Alexandria. In 2002, he completed extensive military studies and training in all three services, including an elite navy diver course.

Heir Apparent

When his father became King in 1995 he became heir apparent and was henceforth known as HRH The Grand Prince Ahmad, the Nabil of Alexandria. He was confirmed in June 1996 after the coronation of his father King Moustafa III. This was a major ceremony, held at Monataza Palace in Alexandria, a place traditionally associated with the creation of the title. He then made a radio and television broadcast to the United Kingdom of Egypt and Sudan pledging to devote his life to the service of the people of Egypt and Sudan.

In the late 1997, The Grand Prince Ahmad was appointed to the Council of State. In addition, he started to attend Egyptosudanese cabinet meetings so as to witness the workings of cabinet government at first hand.

The Grand Prince Ahmad made his first official visit overseas in 1995, when he accompanied his parents to Lygonia.

Succession

King Moustafa's health declined during 2003 and Grand Prince Ahmad frequently stood in for him at public events. He ascended the Sun Throne in October 2003 and the Coronation took place in the Hall of Supreme Harmony in Abdin Palace in November 2004.

Succession Issues

The fact that King Ahmad has never married or fathered a known or acknowledged child became a matter of public and political concern, casting doubts on the succession of the Sun Throne. His younger brother His Royal Highness The Blessed Prince Mohamed, The Nabil of Aswan follows him as heir presumptive in the line of succession to the Sun Throne. Being only heir presumptive he acquires the title of The Blessed Prince of Egypt and Sudan.

Failed and thwarted romances

King Ahmad’s love life has always been the subject of speculation and press fodder. He has been linked to a number of women including actress Youssra Farouk, Nazli Al-Wageez the daughter of the Ambassador of Advino in Cairo, European Baroness Christinia Otto Van Liezburg, and Egyptsudanese aristocrat Israa Hanem Abdel Mageed.

All these relationships ended, some reportedly after his parents expressed disapproval of the women. Undaunted, the Grand Prince told ESBC, "I will never abandon my aim to marry someone I'm in love with."

Current Romances

Ever since King Ahmad Al-Khalil ascended the throne he has not had any acknowledged romantic relationships, primarily because of the importance of his position and reputation. However, since King Ahmad Al-Khalil met with Her Royal Highness The Princess Anne-Marie of Edenburg, The Duchess of Santiana it has been strongly believed that two have been in a relationship. This popular believe has been supported by the appearance of the couple at several private and public functions, and the occasional photographs secretly taken of the two. The two Royal Courts have refused to comment on this issue, neither denying nor acknowledging the relationship.

On 19 May 2005, The two Royal Courts announced in a joint statement the engagement of King Ahmad and Princess Anne-Marie. Following is the text of the statement.

It is with great honour and pleasure that the engagement of His Majesty The King of The United Kingdom of Egypt and Sudan and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Santiana is announced the twentieth of May two thousand and eight. A twenty-sixth of May engagement ceremony is planned at The Palacio Real de Merron in Merron, Edenburg

Personal Interests

King Ahmad is worldwide famous for his vast automobile collection. He is known to be a collector of rare and luxurious cars. The King has an interest in flying and has a solid collection of private aircrafts. Furthermore, he is a collector of antiques and artifacts from all over the world. The King is an avid horseman, taking great interest Arabian horses and owning immense horse stables across the nation. Moreover, he is very keen on sailing and car racing. He is also known to be an eccentric spender. The King has also founded several charity organizations throughout his life.

Official Residence

King Ahmad Al-Khalil I’s current official Cairo residence is Abdin Palace Complex, in the centre of Cairo. The Crown Estate has a vast number of palaces across the nation occasional used by the King.

Titles King Ahmad has held five royal positions from birth:

• The Nabil Ahmad, with the style of His Highness (1980-1995)
• The Sharif of Khartoum (1980-2003)
• The Grand Prince of the United Kingdom of Egypt and Sudan, with the style of His Royal Highness (1999-2003)
• The Nabil of Alexandria (1999-2003)
• The King Ahmad Al-Khalil the First, by the Might of God, of the United Kingdom Egypt and the Sudan, The Sovereign and All Autocrat of Nubia, Kordofan, and Darfur, with the style of His Majesty.