The Hidden Battle for Morocco's Throne Moulay Hassan: A Conspiracy Theory
Crown Prince Moulay Hassan of Morocco has become the center of attention through his eclectic ways of adapting to royal customs, an example being his failure to allow anyone to kiss his hand, which is a dominant cultural practice. This action contrasts with his protocol, which should dictate tradition in the royal house. Meanwhile, King Mohammed VI's health has been deteriorating and, with time, more speculation is growing about the succession plan and the internal workings of the royal family.
A Symbolic Rejection
Some read Prince Moulay Hassan's public aversion to having his hand kissed as more than a personal quirk: he is symbolically rejecting the influence of the old guard and vowing to modernize the monarchy. This is the total contrast to the traditionalists who support his uncle, Prince Moulay Rachid. Videos of Prince Moulay Hassan's reaction to kiss-the-hand incidents have become trending – this has made him a sympathetic and future monarch with the populace glued to social media.
Health and Succession Anxiety
King Mohammed VI has been in constant ill health; this has increased the clamor for an order of succession. The source said there was also a secret protocol to ensure a smooth transition of power to Moulay Hassan should anything happen unexpectedly to the king. But he is also viewed as a potential nemesis, with his rich experience and influential connections, which can help him take advantage of perceived weaknesses and deny his nephew's accession.
Mysterious Deaths and Security Overhauls
The death of the crown prince's bodyguard, Khalid el-Wahi, under mysterious circumstances during a royal visit in 2017, and the subsequent reorganization of palace security on the orders of King Mohammed VI, have fed speculation over internal power plays. These have been interpreted by some as linked to efforts to secure Moulay Hassan's position against potential dangers coming from inside the palace. The appointment of "special military body" for palace security, and taking over the place of other police and intelligence agencies, is perceived to be the way forward to improve the future king's security and power scenario.
Humanization and Propaganda: Drawing Comparisons between Prince Moulay Hassan and His Grandfather, Hassan II
It is all part of a calculated propaganda exercise – to humanize Prince Moulay Hassan and project him in the image of his grandfather, Hassan II, to project him as the legitimate king. The story is aimed both at modernists and traditionalists in Moroccan society so that his future reign will not be undermined. The official stories demonstrate his relationship to the common man on the street and his mother princess Lalla Salma following her unofficial divorce from King Mohammed VI.
Financial and Political Ploys
The conspiracy is largely perpetuated by the Moroccan royal family's massive amounts of wealth and political power. Both branches of the family are said to be using their wealth in bribing loyalty and punishing rivalry. Such financial muscle is the only survival mechanism of the monarchy. King Mohammed VI personal and astute handling of the kingdom's funds, also the access to huge business empires and vast real estate property, helps him in the rewarding loyalist and punishing rivals through blackmail.
Conclusion
Although the official narrative presents a seamless and harmonious transfer of power, the reality could be an ambivalent and covert struggle for control within the Moroccan royal family. The public personage of Crown Prince Moulay Hassan as a modern, relatable future king is part and parcel of the broader strategy to consolidate his place and ward off the challenges from within the family by his ambitious uncle, Prince Moulay Rachid. It is in many ways a dark conspiracy theory, inspired by mysterious deaths, health scares, and strategic propaganda. It has been prophesied that the Moroccan throne succession scenario is not as simple as presumed; there has been deep agitation and maneuvering involved.
