King Mohammed VI Presides Over 26th Throne Day Reception in M’diq

Marrakech – King Mohammed VI chaired this afternoon an official reception in M’diq to commemorate the 26th anniversary of his accession to the throne. Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and Prince Moulay Rachid accompanied the monarch during the ceremony at M’diq-Fnideq Prefecture Plaza.

The celebration began with the King saluting the national colors as the national anthem played. A 21-gun salute marked the formal opening of the event. Moroccan and foreign dignitaries then presented their congratulations to the sovereign.

Government, institutional officials pay respects

Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch led the well-wishers, followed by House of Representatives President Rachid Talbi Alami and House of Councillors President Mohamed Ould Errachid. High-ranking judicial officials also attended the ceremony.

Supreme Judicial Council delegate-president Mohamed Abdennabaoui offered his congratulations alongside Public Prosecutor Hicham Balaoui. Constitutional Court President Mohamed Amine Benabdellah and Court of Auditors First President Zineb El Adaoui joined the proceedings.

Additional institutional leaders included Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) President Abdelkader Amara and Higher Council of Ulemas Secretary-General Mohamed Yssef. Education Council President Rahma Bourqia and Human Rights Council (CNDH) President Amina Bouayach also paid their respects.

Kingdom Ombudsman Hassan Tariq attended alongside Audiovisual Communication Authority (HACA) President Latifa Akherbach. Competition Council President Ahmed Rahhou and Anti-Corruption Authority President Mohamed Benalilou joined the ceremony.

Moroccan Community Abroad Council President Driss El Yazami presented his congratulations. Saharan Affairs Royal Consultative Council President Khalihenna Ould Errachid also attended the event.

Regional authorities in attendance included Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima Wali Younès Tazi and Regional Council President Omar Moro.

Military, security leadership honors the King

Army Corps General Mohamed Berrid, Royal Armed Forces Inspector General and Southern Zone Commander, saluted the King. Royal Gendarmerie Commander General Mohamed Haramou joined other high-ranking military officials.

Third Bureau Chief Brigade General Azzeddine Khalid attended alongside Air Force Inspector Air Division General Mohammed Gadih. Royal Navy Inspector Rear Admiral Mohamed Tahin and Auxiliary Forces inspectors also participated.

National Security (DGSN-DGSI) Director General Abdellatif Hammouchi paid his respects. Studies and Documentation (DGED) Director General Mohamed Yassine El Mansouri joined the security leadership contingent.

International diplomatic corps, religious leaders extend greetings

African diplomatic corps dean and Cameroon Ambassador Mohamadou Youssifou represented the continent’s diplomatic community. Yemen Ambassador Ezzeddin Saïd Ahmed Al Asbahi served as interim Arab diplomatic corps dean.

Malta’s Sovereign Military Order Ambassador Julien-Vincent Brunie represented European diplomats. Eastern Caribbean States Ambassador Ian Montclair Queely led American diplomatic representatives.

Chinese Ambassador Li Changlin served as the Asian diplomatic corps dean during the ceremony.

Archbishop of Tangier Emilio Rocha Grande joined the interfaith representation. Evangelical Church President Karen Thomas Smith and Russian Orthodox Church President Maxim Massalitin also attended the event.

Casablanca Grand Rabbi Yossef Israel completed the religious leadership delegation.

Football delegation receives royal recognition

FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the ceremony alongside Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) President Fouzi Lekjaa. The national women’s football team members received special recognition for their performance in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The King, Crown Prince, and Prince Moulay Rachid posed for commemorative photos with the women’s football team, whose recent achievements have raised the bar for women’s football across the continent.

An Annual tradition

Tuesday evening’s traditional Royal Guard torch retreat illuminated M’diq’s waterfront, drawing thousands of spectators. The procession began at the Royal Residence and continued along Lalla Nezha Avenue to the waterfront plaza.

Royal Guard torch bearers, cavalry, and musicians performed elaborate formations throughout the parade. The spectacle featured geometric patterns including squares, circles, five-pointed stars, and Morocco’s map outline.

Royal Air Force, Headquarters Battalion, Royal Gendarmerie, and Royal Navy musical formations contributed artistic performances. The retreat concluded with weapon handling exercises forming the phrase “Long Live the King.”

The torch retreat tradition dates to 1947 and has enhanced Throne Day celebrations for decades. Since 1993, the ceremony concludes with precision military exercises requiring extensive training and preparation.

Throne Day celebrations began in 1933 honoring Sultan Mohammed V, initially observed on November 18. The date shifted to March 3 under Hassan II’s reign from 1961 to 1999.

Mohammed VI’s accession moved the celebration to July 30, where it remains today. The annual bay’ah ceremony, established by Hassan II in 1962, sees officials pledge allegiance to the monarch.

The 26th anniversary of the King’s accession to the throne was marked across Morocco, with citizens taking part in various celebrations. The occasion reaffirmed the enduring place of the Alaouite dynasty and the constitutional monarchy within Morocco’s political landscape.