Morocco announces the death of the mother of King Mohammed VI

This photograph, released by the Moroccan Royal Palace on November 6, 2022, shows Morocco’s King Mohammed VI delivering a speech to the nation to mark the 47th anniversary of the Green March, in Rabat. ARCHIVE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse

RABAT — Princess Lalla Latifa, mother of Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and widow of her father King Hassan II, died on Saturday, a spokesperson for the royal palace said.

Moroccan news agency MAP issued a statement that read: “The official spokesperson of the Royal Palace announces, with great sadness and deep sorrow, the death of HRH Princess Lalla Latifa, may she rest in peace, on Saturday.”

The king’s mother had no official responsibilities in the North African country and did not carry out public engagements.

After her husband’s death in 1999, foreign media reported that she had married the late king’s security chief and divided her time between Morocco and France.

Mohammed VI ascended to the throne in July 1999 upon the death of his father.