Crown Prince of Kuwait

Heir apparent to the Emir of Kuwait
Crown Prince of Kuwait
ولي العهد الكويت
Arms of His Highness the Crown Prince of Kuwait
Incumbent
Vacant
since 16 December 2023
Details
StyleHis Highness
Formation29 October 1962
ResidenceBayan Palace

The Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait is the heir apparent to the Emir of Kuwait. Under Article 4 of the Constitution of Kuwait, this position can only be held by the descendants of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, and must be designated within a year of the Emir's accession. This designation is given effect by a combination of the Emir's nomination, and its approval by the National Assembly, as signified by a majority vote of its members in a special sitting.[1][2] If this does not happen, the Constitution requires the Emir to nominate three descendants of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, of whom the National Assembly will pledge allegiance to one as the Crown Prince or heir apparent. To be appointed, the nominee must also have attained the age of majority, be of sound mind, and be the legitimate son of Muslim parents.[2][3]

There are three successional customs which influence the choice of Crown Prince. First, the pick alternates between descendants of two of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah's sons: Jaber II Al-Sabah and Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah (until 2006). Second, the Crown Prince is chosen by the Family Council, from among other elder members of the royal family. Third, the matter of succession is a family affair and kept secret. As such, it is not open to public debate.[3]

Crown Prince of Kuwait (1962–present)

Crown Princes of Kuwait (1962–present)

NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Sheikh
Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah
  • صباح السالم الصباح
(1913-04-12)12 April 1913 – 31 December 1977(1977-12-31) (aged 64)29 October 196224 November 1965Youngest son of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-SabahAl SabahSabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah of Kuwait
Sheikh
Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
  • جابر الأحمد الصباح
(1926-06-29)29 June 1926 – 15 January 2006(2006-01-15) (aged 79)31 May 196631 December 1977Third son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-SabahAl SabahJaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah of Kuwait
Sheikh
Saad Al-Salim Al-Sabah
[a]
  • سعد السالم الصباح
1930 – 13 May 2008
(aged 77–78)		18 February 197815 January 2006Eldest son of Abdullah Al-Salim Al-SabahAl SabahSaad Al-Salim Al-Sabah of Kuwait
Sheikh
Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
  • نواف الأحمد الجابر الصباح
(1937-06-25)25 June 1937 - 16 December 2023(2023-12-16) (aged 86)20 February 200629 September 2020Sixth son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-SabahAl SabahNawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait
Sheikh
Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
  • مشعل الأحمد الجابر الصباح
 (1940-09-27) 27 September 1940 (age 83)8 October 202016 December 2023Seventh son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-SabahAl SabahMishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait

See also

Politics of Kuwait

Arab League Member State of the Arab League

Constitution
Legislature
Administration
flag Kuwait portal
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Notes

  1. ^ In exile in Taif, Saudi Arabia between 2 August 1990 and 15 March 1991, due to the Iraqi invasion and occupation, and the subsequent Gulf War.

References

  1. ^ "Next in Line: Succession and the Kuwaiti Monarchy". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  2. ^ a b "Kuwait Constitution". The Diwan of The Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait. Archived from the original on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b "The Emirate of Kuwait Challenged by Succession :: Observatoire of Arab-Muslim World and Sahel :: Foundation for Strategic Research :: FRS". www.frstrategie.org. Retrieved 2020-12-13.

External links

  • Amiri Diwan of Kuwait website