Jordan’s Prince Hamzah gives up royal title one year after house arrest

Prince Hamzah bin Hussein of Jordan has given up his royal title, a year after a palace feud placed him under house arrest. Here’s what you need to know about the half-brother of Jordan’s king

Prince Hamzah of Jordan has relinquished his royal title, stating that his values “are not in line with approaches, trends and modern methods of our institutions”.

King Abdullah II’s half-brother Hamzah bin Hussein announced on Sunday via a letter on his official Twitter that he would be giving up his title as prince.

His decision to step down comes a year after a feud with his half-brother Abdullah – the king of Jordan – which saw Hamzah placed under house arrest.

Last year’s feud between the brothers was a rare case of infighting within the Hashemite royal family going public. Here’s what we know about the feud as well as Hamzah’s decision to give up his title.

Who is Prince Hamzah of Jordan and why was he placed under house arrest?

Prince Hamzah is the son of the late King Hussein, who was unexpectedly named crown prince and heir apparent in 1999 after the death of the then-monarch from cancer.

Often described by his father as the “delight of my eye,” Hamzah was thought too young to ascend the throne despite being a favourite of his father. Instead, his older half-brother Abdullah succeeded as king.

Then in 2004, Abdullah abruptly stripped Hamzah of his crown prince title. The monarch said that the move would allow his younger sibling – who was attending Harvard University at the time – “more freedom of movement”.

Hamzah was placed under house arrest by the king last April, accused of being involved in a “malicious” foreign-born plot to destabilise Jordan, which has always been a close Western ally.

The prince denied the allegations and said he was being targeted for speaking out against the institution.

What was the feud between King Abdullah II and Hamzah?

King Abdullah II and Hamzah were involved in a rare public palace feud where the monarch accused his younger half-brother of taking part in a conspiracy against Jordan.

Though details of this alleged plot have never been made public, the BBC reported a number of “high-level arrests” were made in connection with the alleged conspiracy. This included a former royal chief advisor as well as a minor figure in the royal family, both of whom denied their involvement but were later sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

Hamzah, who was placed under house arrest, put out a recording denying any involvement in the conspiracy, saying that he was being punished for speaking out against corruption and that he was “going to escalate” his dissent.

However, he later released a second voice message taking the first one back, pledging his allegiance to Abdullah.

Hamzah signed a letter declaring his loyalty to the king after a reported mediation between the brothers. The statement released by the palace read: “The interests of the homeland must remain above every consideration. We must all stand behind the king in his efforts to protect Jordan and its national interests.”

Hamzah also asked his brother forgiveness in the letter published by the palace: “I have erred, Your Majesty, and to err is human. I, therefore, bear responsibility for the stances I have taken and the offences I have committed against Your Majesty and our country over the past years, culminating in the events of the sedition case. I seek Your Majesty’s forgiveness, knowing that you have always been very forgiving.”

The now-former prince has only been seen in public once since his house arrest. The Royal Court also made no immediate comment on Hamza’s announcement about stepping down.