Rabat – Lalla Latifa Amahzoune, the widow of King Hassan II and mother of the reigning King Mohammed VI passed away on Saturday at the age of 78. Known affectionately as the Mother of the Royal Children, Lalla Latifa played a significant, albeit private, role in the Moroccan royal family.
Born in 1946 in Khenifra, Morocco, Lalla Latifa hailed from the prominent Amahzoune family, part of the Zayane tribe. Her father, Hassan ould Mouha ou Hammou Zayani, was the Pasha of Khenifra and a respected figure in the region.
In a double wedding ceremony on November 9, 1961, she married King Hassan II, alongside Lalla Lamia as-Solh, who wed Prince Moulay Abdallah.
Throughout her life, Lalla Latifa remained a private individual, adhering to the royal family’s protocol. She never held a public role but was a constant, supportive presence behind the scenes.
Her marriage to King Hassan II produced five children: Princess Lalla Meryem, King Mohammed VI, Princess Lalla Asma, Princess Lalla Hasna, and Prince Moulay Rachid.
She spent much of her later years in France, living in Neuilly-sur-Seine, before permanently settling in Marrakesh in 2019.
In 2018, in recognition of her contributions, King Mohammed VI inaugurated the Mosque of H.H. Princess Lalla Latifa in Sale. The mosque, with its blend of traditional Andalusian and modern architectural elements, stands as a tribute to her legacy.
