Prince of the Sa'id

Prince of the Sa'id (Lang-ar|أمير الصعيد / "Amir al-Sa'id") was the title used by the heir apparent to the Egyptian throne prior to the abolition of the monarchy following the Egyptian Revolution of 1952. The title translates as "Prince of Upper Egypt".

The title was first used by the son and heir of King Fouad I, Prince Farouk, who was officially named "Prince of the Sa'id" on 12 December 1933. [cite book | last = Brice | first = William Charles | title = An Historical Atlas of Islam | publisher = BRILL | date = 1981 | location = Leiden | pages = p. 299 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=6DYVAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#PPA299,M1 | isbn = 9789004061163 | oclc = 9194288] The title that was given to Farouk with the purchase in his name of 3,000 feddans of the best agricultural land. [cite journal | last = Rizk | first = Yunan Labib | title = Kings also die | journal = Al-Ahram Weekly | issue = 726 | date = 20 - 26 January 2005 | url = http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/726/chrncls.htm | issn = 1110-2977 | oclc = 163624446 | accessdate = 2008-08-25] Farouk held the title until he ascended the throne as King Farouk I following the death of his father on 28 April 1936.

Since the title was only granted to heirs apparent, Farouk I's successor as heir, Prince Mohammed Ali Tewfik, did not receive it as he was heir presumptive. The next person to hold the title was Farouk I's first (and only) son Prince Ahmad Fouad. He held the title immediately following his birth on 16 January 1952 as he was the heir apparent of his father Farouk I. [cite journal | last = Elbendary | first = Amina | title = Happy birthday, Your Majesty | journal = Al-Ahram Weekly | issue = 572 | date = 7 - 13 February 2002 | url = http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2002/572/sc52_3.htm | issn = 1110-2977 | oclc = 163624446 | accessdate = 2008-08-25] However, he only held it very briefly, since he ascended the throne as King Fouad II following his father's forced abdication on 26 July 1952.

The title has never been used since then, as the Egyptian monarchy was abolished on 18 June 1953. It should be noted that Fouad II's eldest son Muhammad Ali (born on 5 February 1979) is styled "Prince of the Sa'id". [cite web | title = His Majesty King II. Ahmet Fuat | work = The Royal House of Mehmet Ali | url = http://www.geocities.com/hazemsakr/royal/index.html | accessdate = 2008-08-25] However, since the monarchy no longer exists in Egypt, the title has no legal standing whatsoever, but is merely used as a form of courtesy.

ee also

*Crown prince

References