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]
| Crown Prince of Kuwait | |
|---|---|
| ولي العهد الكويت | |
 | |
| Incumbent | |
.jpg) | |
| Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah since 2 June 2024 | |
| Details | |
| Style | His Highness |
| Formation | 29 October 1962 |
| Residence | Bayan Palace |
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, when a Salim emir was overthrown, and 2024, when a descendant of Hamad Al-Mubarak was chosen). 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)
editCrown Princes of Kuwait (1962–present)
edit| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheikh Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah
| 12 April 1913 – 31 December 1977 (aged 64) | 29 October 1962 | 24 November 1965 | Youngest son of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah | Al Sabah |  |
| Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
| 29 June 1926 – 15 January 2006 (aged 79) | 31 May 1966 | 31 December 1977 | Third son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah | Al Sabah |  |
| Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah [a]
| 13 May 1930 – 13 May 2008 (aged 78) | 18 February 1978 | 15 January 2006 | Eldest son of Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah | Al Sabah |  |
| Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
| 25 June 1937 – 16 December 2023 (aged 86) | 20 February 2006 | 29 September 2020 | Sixth son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | .jpg) |
| Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
| 27 September 1940 | 8 October 2020 | 16 December 2023 | Seventh son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah | Al Sabah |  |
| Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah
| 3 March 1953 | 2 June 2024 | Incumbent | Half-nephew of Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. First Crown Prince from the Al-Hamad branch of the family | Al Sabah | |
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ 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
edit- ^ "Next in Line: Succession and the Kuwaiti Monarchy". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.