Prince Talal bin Muhammad
Encyclopedia
HRH Prince Talal bin Muhammad (born on 26 July 1965) is a Jordanian royal, the eldest son of Prince Muhammad bin Talal
, the younger brother of King Hussein of Jordan
, and the grandson of King Talal of Jordan
. HRH Prince Talal is the 41st generation direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. He has one brother, Prince Ghazi
(b. 1966).
in the United Kingdom. In September 1983 he entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, and upon Passing Out in April 1984, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Jordan Arab Army. After a few months in the Jordanian Army, he entered the School of Foreign Service of Georgetown University
, Washington DC in September 1984. He completed the five-year joint degree Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service – Master of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS-MSFS) program, concentrating in International Politics for his BS Degree and US Foreign Policy and Diplomacy for his MS Degree.
After undergoing further military training the US and the UK, Prince Talal returned to the Jordanian Army, where he served as a Company Commander in a Special Forces battalion from March 1990 until March 1991. On 25 March 1991, he was appointed as Military Secretary to King Hussein. In this capacity he functioned as a personal aide to the King, taking the minutes of his meetings and accompanying him daily on his activities within Jordan and his official trips abroad. These duties expanded to charge of the King’s political correspondence and speech writing – Prince Talal co-authored King Hussein’s speech before a Joint Session of the US Congress marking the end of a State of War between Jordan and Israel in July 1994. Prince Talal was further entrusted by King Hussein with intelligence liaison activities and confidential political missions.
He was closely involved with the events leading to the signing of the Jordanian-Israeli Peace Treaty in October 1994.
In addition to this, Prince Talal was appointed by King Hussein as his Personal Representative in the United States in February 1992 – a position he held until the death of King Hussein in February 1999.
This involved enhancing relations with the US Administration, Government and Congress following the Gulf War of 1991. Prince Talal also advanced the King’s official trips to the US, arranging his program and topics of discussion with US officials. He would then prepare his talking points, and remain behind in the US after each visit to follow-up any outstanding issues. He was closely involved in securing the forgiveness of Jordan’s $700 million debt to the US and the transfer of a squadron of F-16 fighter aircraft from the US to Jordan following the Washington Declaration of July 1994.
In August 1996 Prince Talal was appointed by King Hussein as Director of the National Security Council, with the task of establishing the National Security Council of Jordan. Amongst other things, he was responsible for the recruitment, training, and organization of the NSC Staff; the compilation of electronic data bases and Intelnet setup; coordination with the relevant government officials and bodies; intelligence liaison; producing and distributing a daily brief and in-depth studies; and compiling the Agenda for NSC meetings. Following the death of King Hussein, Prince Talal continued to hold this post until August 1999, when King Abdullah II appointed him as his National Security Advisor. He held this post until September 2001 when he was appointed Special Advisor to King Abdullah II.
Prince Talal has also been involved in Higher Education, serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mu’tah University in Kerak, Jordan from 1998 until 2001, and as a member of the Committee of Higher Education (the governmental body responsible for Higher Education in Jordan). He is also a member of the Higher Committee of the Retired Servicemen and Veterans Association, and has served as Chairman of the National Land Mine Removal and Rehabilitation Commission. In 2008, Prince Talal joined the Advisory Board of the James Martin 21st century School, University of Oxford, UK.
Prince Talal has also acted as Regent in the absence of King Abdullah II.
In 1991 Prince Talal married Princess Ghida Talal (formerly Ghida Salaam), originally of the politically prominent Salaam family of Lebanon. They have three children: Prince Hussein (b.1999): and Princess Rajaa and Prince Muhammad (b.2001).
In addition to his native Arabic, Prince Talal is fluent in English and French. A devout Muslim, he has performed the Hajj (Greater Pilgrimage) to Mecca twice, and the ‘Umrah (Lesser Pilgrimage) more than ten times.
Prince Talal’s sporting interests include Polo, Furusiyya
(traditional Arab/Islamic military horsemanship), Scuba Diving (PADI Advanced Diver Rating) Motorcycling, and Alpine Skiing.
School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University,
Washington DC, USA. Five-year Bachelor of
Science in Foreign Service-Master of Science in
Foreign Service Joint Degree program
BSFS Concentration: International Politics, Law and Organization. MSFS Concentration: US Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
1983–1984
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, UK. (Standard Military Course No.34)
1978–1983
Harrow School, UK
1975–1978
St. Edmund’s School, UK
1973–1975
American Community School, Amman
1972–1973
Orthodox College, Amman
1970–1972
Islamic Scientific College, Amman
Special Advisor to King Abdullah II
National Security Advisor to King Abdullah II and Director of the National Security Council
Director of the National Security Council
Personal Representative of King Hussein in the United States of America
Military Secretary of King Hussein
Officer Commanding, 2nd Company, 91st SpecialForces Battalion, Khaw, Jordan
Special Forces Brigade Headquarters
Deputy A-Team Leader, 1st Company, 101st Special Forces Battalion, Hashemiyyah, Jordan
Advisory Board Member, The James Martin 21st century School, Oxford University, UK
Chairman of the National Landmine Removal and Rehabilitation Commission, Jordan
Member of the Higher Committee of the Retired Servicemen and Veterans Association, Jordan
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mu’tah University, Kerak, Jordan
Member of the Committee of Higher Education, Jordan
Prince Muhammad bin Talal
Prince Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan Prince Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan Prince Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan (born Amman, Jordan on 2 October 1940 is the son of the late King Talal I of Jordan and is the younger brother of the late King Hussein I of Jordan.-Education:...
, the younger brother of King Hussein of Jordan
Hussein of Jordan
Hussein bin Talal was the third King of Jordan from the abdication of his father, King Talal, in 1952, until his death. Hussein's rule extended through the Cold War and four decades of Arab-Israeli conflict...
, and the grandson of King Talal of Jordan
Talal of Jordan
Talal I bin Abdullah 26 February 1909 – 7 July 1972) was the second King of Jordan from 20 July 1951 until forced to abdicate in favour of his son Hussein due to health reasons on 11 August 1952....
. HRH Prince Talal is the 41st generation direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. He has one brother, Prince Ghazi
Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad
Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan is a Jordanian prince, professor of philosophy, and is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. He is the son of Prince Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan and his first wife, Princess Firyal...
(b. 1966).
Bio
HRH Prince Talal’s early education took place in Jordan, and from 1975 to 1983 he attended Harrow SchoolHarrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
in the United Kingdom. In September 1983 he entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, and upon Passing Out in April 1984, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Jordan Arab Army. After a few months in the Jordanian Army, he entered the School of Foreign Service of Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
, Washington DC in September 1984. He completed the five-year joint degree Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service – Master of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS-MSFS) program, concentrating in International Politics for his BS Degree and US Foreign Policy and Diplomacy for his MS Degree.
After undergoing further military training the US and the UK, Prince Talal returned to the Jordanian Army, where he served as a Company Commander in a Special Forces battalion from March 1990 until March 1991. On 25 March 1991, he was appointed as Military Secretary to King Hussein. In this capacity he functioned as a personal aide to the King, taking the minutes of his meetings and accompanying him daily on his activities within Jordan and his official trips abroad. These duties expanded to charge of the King’s political correspondence and speech writing – Prince Talal co-authored King Hussein’s speech before a Joint Session of the US Congress marking the end of a State of War between Jordan and Israel in July 1994. Prince Talal was further entrusted by King Hussein with intelligence liaison activities and confidential political missions.
He was closely involved with the events leading to the signing of the Jordanian-Israeli Peace Treaty in October 1994.
In addition to this, Prince Talal was appointed by King Hussein as his Personal Representative in the United States in February 1992 – a position he held until the death of King Hussein in February 1999.
This involved enhancing relations with the US Administration, Government and Congress following the Gulf War of 1991. Prince Talal also advanced the King’s official trips to the US, arranging his program and topics of discussion with US officials. He would then prepare his talking points, and remain behind in the US after each visit to follow-up any outstanding issues. He was closely involved in securing the forgiveness of Jordan’s $700 million debt to the US and the transfer of a squadron of F-16 fighter aircraft from the US to Jordan following the Washington Declaration of July 1994.
In August 1996 Prince Talal was appointed by King Hussein as Director of the National Security Council, with the task of establishing the National Security Council of Jordan. Amongst other things, he was responsible for the recruitment, training, and organization of the NSC Staff; the compilation of electronic data bases and Intelnet setup; coordination with the relevant government officials and bodies; intelligence liaison; producing and distributing a daily brief and in-depth studies; and compiling the Agenda for NSC meetings. Following the death of King Hussein, Prince Talal continued to hold this post until August 1999, when King Abdullah II appointed him as his National Security Advisor. He held this post until September 2001 when he was appointed Special Advisor to King Abdullah II.
Prince Talal has also been involved in Higher Education, serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mu’tah University in Kerak, Jordan from 1998 until 2001, and as a member of the Committee of Higher Education (the governmental body responsible for Higher Education in Jordan). He is also a member of the Higher Committee of the Retired Servicemen and Veterans Association, and has served as Chairman of the National Land Mine Removal and Rehabilitation Commission. In 2008, Prince Talal joined the Advisory Board of the James Martin 21st century School, University of Oxford, UK.
Prince Talal has also acted as Regent in the absence of King Abdullah II.
In 1991 Prince Talal married Princess Ghida Talal (formerly Ghida Salaam), originally of the politically prominent Salaam family of Lebanon. They have three children: Prince Hussein (b.1999): and Princess Rajaa and Prince Muhammad (b.2001).
In addition to his native Arabic, Prince Talal is fluent in English and French. A devout Muslim, he has performed the Hajj (Greater Pilgrimage) to Mecca twice, and the ‘Umrah (Lesser Pilgrimage) more than ten times.
Prince Talal’s sporting interests include Polo, Furusiyya
Furusiyya
is the historical Arabic term for knightly martial exercise during the Middle Ages, during the Crusades and Mamluk period in particular, especially concerned with medieval Islamic martial arts and equestrianism...
(traditional Arab/Islamic military horsemanship), Scuba Diving (PADI Advanced Diver Rating) Motorcycling, and Alpine Skiing.
Education
1984–1989School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University,
Washington DC, USA. Five-year Bachelor of
Science in Foreign Service-Master of Science in
Foreign Service Joint Degree program
BSFS Concentration: International Politics, Law and Organization. MSFS Concentration: US Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
1983–1984
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, UK. (Standard Military Course No.34)
1978–1983
Harrow School, UK
1975–1978
St. Edmund’s School, UK
1973–1975
American Community School, Amman
1972–1973
Orthodox College, Amman
1970–1972
Islamic Scientific College, Amman
Career
- Sept. 2001 – present
Special Advisor to King Abdullah II
- Aug.1999-Sept.2001
National Security Advisor to King Abdullah II and Director of the National Security Council
- Aug.1996-Aug.1999
Director of the National Security Council
- Feb.1992-Feb.1999
Personal Representative of King Hussein in the United States of America
- Mar.1991-Aug.1996
Military Secretary of King Hussein
- Mar.1990-Mar.1991
Officer Commanding, 2nd Company, 91st SpecialForces Battalion, Khaw, Jordan
- Aug.1984-Mar.1990
Special Forces Brigade Headquarters
- May–Aug. 1984
Deputy A-Team Leader, 1st Company, 101st Special Forces Battalion, Hashemiyyah, Jordan
Military promotions
- June 2009 Promoted Major-General
- June 2002 Promoted Brigadier-General
- May 1997 Promoted Colonel
- June 1994 Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel
- Nov.1992 Promoted Major
- Nov.1989 Promoted Captain
- Nov.1986 Promoted 1st Lieutenant
- Apr. 1984 Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant
Personal life
Prince Talal married HRH Princess Ghida Talal (formerly Ghida Salaam born on 11 July 1963, of the politically prominent Lebanese Family) in Amman, Jordan in July, 1991. They have two sons and one daughter:- Prince Hussein – born 15 October 1999
- Princess Rajaa – born 13 March 2001 (twin with her brother Prince Muhammad)
- Prince Muhammad – born 13 March 2001 (twin with his sister Princess Rajaa)
Sporting interests
- Alpine Skiing
- Furusiyya (Traditional Arab/Islamic military horsemanship)
- Motorcycling
- Parachuting
- Polo
- Scuba Diving (PADI Advanced Diver Rating)
- Waterskiing
Other activities
- Sept. 2008 – present
Advisory Board Member, The James Martin 21st century School, Oxford University, UK
- Feb.2001– March 2002
Chairman of the National Landmine Removal and Rehabilitation Commission, Jordan
- Sept.1997 – present
Member of the Higher Committee of the Retired Servicemen and Veterans Association, Jordan
- Sept.1998-Sept.2001
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mu’tah University, Kerak, Jordan
- Sept.1998-Sept.2001
Member of the Committee of Higher Education, Jordan