King Talal bin Abdullah (1909-1972)
King Talal bin Abdullah was born in Mecca on 8 January 1909. He attended elementary school in Amman and was appointed as the aide-de-camp of his father, King Abdullah I. He then graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, holding the rank of lieutenant. He was proclaimed King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on 6 April 1951.
King Talal bin Abdullah carried on his late father’s vision in developing the Kingdom, building on the pillars of moderation, justice, equality, freedom, and human rights.
Less than a year after his accession to Throne, His Majesty King Talal had completed the 1952 Jordanian Constitution, which was based on engaging the people in decision-making in conformity with national unity. During his reign, the right to free education was endorsed and many laws were passed. King Talal also sought to improve Jordan’s relations with Arab states.
Due to illness, King Talal was unable to continue his rule. Therefore, a regency council was appointed on 11 August 1952 by a constitutional decision, until King Hussein bin Talal reached the legal age in accordance with the Constitution.