Rabat – Morocco is celebrating today the birthday of Princess Lalla Meryem, who at age 63 is the first daughter and eldest child of the late King Hassan II.
Every year on August 26, this occasion is an opportunity to look back on her efforts to improve the situation of women and protect the rights of children.
From an early age, Princess Lalla Meryem has held important social positions. In 1981, the late King Hassan II appointed her head of the Social Services of the Royal Armed Forces.
Over the years, she has also led the Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Living Abroad, the National Union of Moroccan Women, the National Observatory for the Rights of the Child, and the Moroccan Association in Support of UNICEF. She is also honorary president of several organizations working in the field of childhood support.
Princess Lalla Meryem has earned wide international recognition. In July 2001, the then Director-General of UNESCO, Koichiro Matsuura, named her Goodwill Ambassador in recognition of her work for children’s rights around the world.
That same year, during an official visit to Lebanon, she received the National Order of Merit from former Lebanese President Émile Lahoud, as well as the Hariri Foundation Gold Medal.
She was awarded the “Women World Leaders” prize by the association of the same name in 2010, which recognized her distinguished work, solidarity, and efforts to empower Moroccan, Arab, and African women.
The Princess also actively represents King Mohammed VI at national and international events. Recently, she chaired the 30th anniversary celebration of the National Observatory for the Rights of the Child on May 25, 2024.
In November that year, she led a ceremony at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University to mark the 25th anniversary of the Children’s Parliament. Later that month, she opened the annual charity bazaar of the Diplomatic Club in Rabat.
Princess Lalla Meryem has also taken part in high-level state occasions. In October 2024, she attended the official reception hosted by King Mohammed VI for French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron.
