Who was King Farouk of Egypt ?
On 11 February 1920, His Sultanic Higness Farouk bin Fuad, the Hereditary
Prince of Egypt and Sudan was born at the Abdeen Palace in Cairo, Egypt.
Family
His parents were King Fouad I of Egypt and Nazli Sabri. He was a member
of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty. King Fouad I gave all of his children names
starting with F after an Indian fortune-teller told him names starting with F
would bring him good luck.
starting with F after an Indian fortune-teller told him names starting with F
would bring him good luck.
Early years
Farouk was only allowed to see his mother once every day for one hour. He
grew up in the very closeted world of the royal palaces and he never visited
the Great Pyramids of Giza until he became a King.
grew up in the very closeted world of the royal palaces and he never visited
the Great Pyramids of Giza until he became a King.
Farouk however had a very spoiled upbringing with the servants when meeting
him always getting down on their knees to first kiss the ground and then his
hand.
him always getting down on their knees to first kiss the ground and then his
hand.
Aside from his sisters, Farouk had no friends when growing up as Fuad would
not allow any outsiders to meet him.
not allow any outsiders to meet him.
England
In October 1935, Farouk left Egypt to settle at Kenry House in the countryside
of Surry to attend the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich as an
extramural student. Farouk stayed at Kenry House and twice a week was driven
in a Rolls-Royce to the Royal Military Academy to attend classes, but he still
failed the entrance exam. Instead of studying Farouk spent his time in London
where he went shopping, attended football matches with the Prince of Wales
and visited restaurants and brothels.
of Surry to attend the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich as an
extramural student. Farouk stayed at Kenry House and twice a week was driven
in a Rolls-Royce to the Royal Military Academy to attend classes, but he still
failed the entrance exam. Instead of studying Farouk spent his time in London
where he went shopping, attended football matches with the Prince of Wales
and visited restaurants and brothels.
On 28 April 1936, King Fouad died of a heart attack and Farouk left England
to return to Egypt as a King, but before leaving he visited Buckingham Palace
to accept the condolences of King Edward VIII.
to return to Egypt as a King, but before leaving he visited Buckingham Palace
to accept the condolences of King Edward VIII.
King of Egypt
Upon his coronation the 16-year-old-King Farouk made a public radio
address to the nation:
address to the nation:
"And if it is God's will to lay on my shoulders at such an early age the
responsibility of kingship, I on my part appreciate the duties that will be
mine, and I am prepared for all sacrifices in the cause of my duty. My
noble people, I am proud of you and your loyalty and I am confident in
the future as I am in God. Let us work together. We shall succeed and be
happy. Long live the Motherland.
responsibility of kingship, I on my part appreciate the duties that will be
mine, and I am prepared for all sacrifices in the cause of my duty. My
noble people, I am proud of you and your loyalty and I am confident in
the future as I am in God. Let us work together. We shall succeed and be
happy. Long live the Motherland.
At that time Farouk was extremely popular by the Egyptian people, so it
was decided by the Prime Minister that Farouk should not return to Britain.
was decided by the Prime Minister that Farouk should not return to Britain.
However Farouk's cousin Prince Mohammad Ali was next in line to the
throne and he tried to depose Farouk so he could become king.
throne and he tried to depose Farouk so he could become king.
Politics (1)
The Wafd party, led by Nahas Pasha, had been the most popular party
in Egypt since it had been founded in 1919. The Wafd leaders felt
threatened by Farouk's popularity with ordinary Egyptians.
in Egypt since it had been founded in 1919. The Wafd leaders felt
threatened by Farouk's popularity with ordinary Egyptians.
Coronation
On 20 July 1937, the coronation of Farouk took place. He outdid the
coronation of King Georg VI of the United Kingdom which just had
taken place in London.
coronation of King Georg VI of the United Kingdom which just had
taken place in London.
Love and Marriage (1)
On 20 January 1938 he married to Farida, born Safinaz Zulficar, the
daughter of a judge from Alexandria. This decision - to marry a
commoner instead of a member of the aristocracy increased his
popularity.
popularity.
Farouk broke with Muslim tradition by taking Queen Farida
everywhere with him and letting her go unveiled.
everywhere with him and letting her go unveiled.
Relations with Germany & World War II
In April 1939, the German Propaganda minister, Dr. Josef Goebbels
visited Cairo and received a warm welcome from the King. At the
beginning of World War II, Egypt tried to be neutral, but Farouk broke
diplomatic relations with Germany.
visited Cairo and received a warm welcome from the King. At the
beginning of World War II, Egypt tried to be neutral, but Farouk broke
diplomatic relations with Germany.
On 10 June 1940, Italy declared war on Britain and invaded Egypt.
Under a treaty dated from 1936, Egypt was forced to assist the
British with logical services.
British with logical services.
On 9 December 1940, the British launched an offensive that drove the
Italians back into Libya.
Italians back into Libya.
In January 1941, German forces were dispatched to the Mediterranean
to assist the Italians.
to assist the Italians.
On 12 February 1941, the Afrika korps under the command of Erwin
Rommel arrived in Libya.
Rommel arrived in Libya.
On 31 March 1941, the Wehrmacht drove the British out of Libya into
Egypt.
Egypt.
Farouk met various allied leaders such as the South African Prime
Minister Jan Christian Smuts and Winston Churchill in August 1942.
Minister Jan Christian Smuts and Winston Churchill in August 1942.
On 13 February 1945, Farouk met President D. Roosevelt of
The United States.
The United States.
Egypt ended the Second World War as the richest country in the
Middle East, owing largely to the high prices of cotton. Egypt was
a creditor nation to the United Kingdom.
Middle East, owing largely to the high prices of cotton. Egypt was
a creditor nation to the United Kingdom.
Asylum to the King of Italy
In May 1946, King Farouk granted asylum to former King of Italy,
Victor Emmanuel III who had abdicated on 9 May 1946. Farouk was
repaying a family debt as Victor Emmanuel's father, King Umberto I
had granted asylum to Farouk's grandfather Ismail the Magnificent.
Victor Emmanuel III who had abdicated on 9 May 1946. Farouk was
repaying a family debt as Victor Emmanuel's father, King Umberto I
had granted asylum to Farouk's grandfather Ismail the Magnificent.
However Victor Emmanuel had supported the Fascist regime, his
arrival in Egypt did much damage to Farouk's image.
arrival in Egypt did much damage to Farouk's image.
Strained relations with Great Britain
In 1946, Farouk continued to press the British to leave Egypt altogether
but the question of who would control the Sudan led to the collapse of
the talks in December 1946. Farouk considered the Sudan to be a part
of Egypt.
but the question of who would control the Sudan led to the collapse of
the talks in December 1946. Farouk considered the Sudan to be a part
of Egypt.
Politics (2)
In June 1946, Farouk granted asylum to Amin al-Husseini, the Grand
Mufti of Jerusalem, who escaped from France. al-Husseini made an
alliance with Hassan al-Banna, the Supreme Guide of the Muslim
Brotherhood, which was rapidly becoming the most powerful mass
movement in Egypt.
Mufti of Jerusalem, who escaped from France. al-Husseini made an
alliance with Hassan al-Banna, the Supreme Guide of the Muslim
Brotherhood, which was rapidly becoming the most powerful mass
movement in Egypt.
A divorce
On 19 November 1948, after the birth of a third daughter, King
Farouk divorced his Queen. He cared for his first two oldest
daughters, while she took care for her youngest child.
Farouk divorced his Queen. He cared for his first two oldest
daughters, while she took care for her youngest child.
A lavish Bachelor party
After his divorce and the wars, the popularity of King Farouk
declined.
declined.
His advisors told that he should marry again. Egyptian people
loved royal weddings and marrying a commoner again would
show his populist side.
loved royal weddings and marrying a commoner again would
show his populist side.
Narriman Sadek was selected to become the new bride of the
King. After Farouk announced his engagement to Sadek he
sent her off to Rome to be taught how to be a proper cultured
lady to make her fit to be a queen.
King. After Farouk announced his engagement to Sadek he
sent her off to Rome to be taught how to be a proper cultured
lady to make her fit to be a queen.
In August 1950, Farouk visited France to stay at the casino of
Deaville for his bachelor party. Upon the King arriving in
Europe a media circus began as hundreds of journalists reports
Farouks every doing.
Deaville for his bachelor party. Upon the King arriving in
Europe a media circus began as hundreds of journalists reports
Farouks every doing.
As Farouk spent extravagant sums of money during his visit
to Deauville staying at the casino every night until 5am, he
earned himself a reputation for flamboyant high living.
to Deauville staying at the casino every night until 5am, he
earned himself a reputation for flamboyant high living.
From Deauville Farouk went to Biarritz, where he stayed at
the Hotel du Palais and he resumed his friendship with the
Duke of Windsor (the former King Edward VIII).
the Hotel du Palais and he resumed his friendship with the
Duke of Windsor (the former King Edward VIII).
Farouk then crossed to San Sebastian in Spain to attend a
film Festival with four of his ladies of the moment.
film Festival with four of his ladies of the moment.
Farouk's next stop was Cannes, where he went to the Palm
Beach Casino.
Beach Casino.
Upon his return, Farouk received an anonymous public letter
from the opposition which warned a revolt was near.
from the opposition which warned a revolt was near.
Politics (3)
Prime Minister Nahas announced on the opening of the Parliament
on 6 November 1950 that the government's chief priority for this
term would be seeking the removal of all British forces from Egypt
and the end of the Anglo-Egyptian condominium of the Sudan,
on 6 November 1950 that the government's chief priority for this
term would be seeking the removal of all British forces from Egypt
and the end of the Anglo-Egyptian condominium of the Sudan,
asserting the Sudan was rightfully part of Egypt.
Love and Marriage (2)
On 6 May 1951, King Farouk married to Narriman Sadek in a
lavish style. After his wedding the King went on a three-month
honeymoon in Europe, where he and his new queen spent vast
amounts of money.
lavish style. After his wedding the King went on a three-month
honeymoon in Europe, where he and his new queen spent vast
amounts of money.
Politics (4)
On 17 October 1951, the Egyptian government got Parliament approval
to cancel the 1936 Anglo-Egyptian Treaty. As the result the British forces
in the Suez Canal were considered enemy forces and King Farouk was
declared King of Egypt and Sudan. This title was not recognised by many
countries.
to cancel the 1936 Anglo-Egyptian Treaty. As the result the British forces
in the Suez Canal were considered enemy forces and King Farouk was
declared King of Egypt and Sudan. This title was not recognised by many
countries.
A son
On 16 January 1952, Queen Narriman gave birth to Crown Prince Fouad.
Finally Farouk had a son. The King and the Queen divorced in 1954.
Finally Farouk had a son. The King and the Queen divorced in 1954.
Revolution
On the night of 23 July 1952, the Free Officers led by Muhammad Naguib
and Gamal Abdel Nasser started a military coup that launched the
Egyptian Revolution of 1952. Cairo was under their control.
and Gamal Abdel Nasser started a military coup that launched the
Egyptian Revolution of 1952. Cairo was under their control.
On 26 July 1952, at about 12:30 pm, Farouk cried as he signed his
abdication. He boarded the royal yacht to leave Egypt for the last time.
abdication. He boarded the royal yacht to leave Egypt for the last time.
Exile
Farouk went into exile in Monaco and Italy, where he lived for the
rest of his life. Farouk's baby son Fouad was proclaimed King Fouad II.
rest of his life. Farouk's baby son Fouad was proclaimed King Fouad II.
On 18 June 1953, the revolutionary government formally abolished the
monarchy. This ended the 150 years of the Muhammad Ali dynasty's rule.
monarchy. This ended the 150 years of the Muhammad Ali dynasty's rule.
Egypt was declared a republic.
Death
In 1959, King Farouk was granted Monegasque citizenship by his close
friends Prince Rainier III. In his last years Farouk continued to visit
nightclubs to gamble and socialise. He spent his days in Rome, drinking
coffee, smoking cigars and talking to anybody who approached him.
friends Prince Rainier III. In his last years Farouk continued to visit
nightclubs to gamble and socialise. He spent his days in Rome, drinking
coffee, smoking cigars and talking to anybody who approached him.
King Farouk collapsed at the ile de France restaurant in Rome. He was
brought to the San Camilo Hospital and he died immediately thereafter on
18 March 1965.
brought to the San Camilo Hospital and he died immediately thereafter on
18 March 1965.
His image
King Farouk was known for his lavish lifestyle. When he became a King,
he already had thousands of acres of lands, dozens of palaces and
hundreds of car. Nevertheless the young King often travelled to Europe
for big shopping sprees.
he already had thousands of acres of lands, dozens of palaces and
hundreds of car. Nevertheless the young King often travelled to Europe
for big shopping sprees.
His personal vehicle was a red 1947 Bentley Mark VI. In 1951 he
bought the pear shaped 94 carat Star of the East Diamond and a fancy-
coloured oval-cut diamond from jeweller Harry Winston.
bought the pear shaped 94 carat Star of the East Diamond and a fancy-
coloured oval-cut diamond from jeweller Harry Winston.
In 1950 Farouk's fortune was estimated to be about 50 million pounds
sterling, this made him then one of the richest men of the world.
sterling, this made him then one of the richest men of the world.
He had many affairs and he was seen frequently womanizing at the
hottest night spots in Cairo and Alexandria. He also had many affairs.
hottest night spots in Cairo and Alexandria. He also had many affairs.
Farouk's daughter, Princess Ferial recalled that in exile, Farouk was
a loving father whose only rules for her as a teenager were that she
never wear a dress that exposed any décolletage or dance to
rock 'n roll music which he hated.
a loving father whose only rules for her as a teenager were that she
never wear a dress that exposed any décolletage or dance to
rock 'n roll music which he hated.
Source pictures: Wikipedia
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