Definition
Hamzah bin Hussein (Arabic: حمزة بن الحسين; 28 November 1930 – 26 January 1999) was a Jordanian royal and politician who served as Crown Prince of Jordan from 1952 until his removal in 1957. He was the eldest son of King Hussein of Jordan and played a prominent role in Jordanian military and political affairs during the mid‑20th century.
Overview
Born in Amman, Hamzah was educated in the United Kingdom, attending Harrow School and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. After completing his training, he entered the Jordanian Armed Forces, rising to the rank of colonel. In 1952, following King Abdullah I’s assassination and the accession of his half‑brother King Talal, Hamzah was appointed Crown Prince, a position reaffirmed when his father, King Hussein, assumed the throne in 1953.
His tenure as Crown Prince ended in 1957 after a failed coup attempt linked to his supporters; he was placed under house arrest and subsequently stripped of his succession rights. Hamzah spent much of the next two decades in exile, residing in the United Kingdom and the United States, while maintaining a low political profile.
In 1991, after King Hussein’s reconciliation with the opposition, Hamzah returned to Jordan and was appointed commander of the Jordanian Arab Legion (now the Jordanian Armed Forces). He retired from active military service in 1993 and remained a senior royal figure until his death in 1999.
Etymology/Origin
The name “Hamzah” (حمزة) is an Arabic masculine given name meaning “lion” or “strong”, historically associated with Hamza ibn Abd al‑Muttalib, the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad. “Bin” (بن) is the Arabic patronymic meaning “son of”. “Hussein” (الحسين) is a common Arabic name meaning “little Hasan” or “good, beautiful”. Thus, “Hamzah bin Hussein” translates to “Hamzah, son of Hussein”.
Characteristics
- Royal lineage: Eldest son of King Hussein and first cousin once removed of King Abdullah I.
- Military background: Trained at Sandhurst; served in the Jordanian Arab Legion; attained the rank of colonel and later held the position of commander of the armed forces.
- Political involvement: Held the title of Crown Prince (1952‑1957); involved indirectly in the 1957 internal crisis; later served as a senior advisor on defense matters after his return.
- Exile and reconciliation: Lived abroad from 1957 to 1991; returned following a broader national reconciliation process spearheaded by King Hussein.
- Personal life: Married twice; fathered several children, including Prince Faisal bin Hamzah, who remains a notable figure in contemporary Jordanian affairs.
Related Topics
- Jordanian monarchy
- King Hussein of Jordan
- Black September (1970)
- Jordanian Arab Legion (Jordan Armed Forces)
- Crown Prince of Jordan (title)
- Jordanian political history (1950s‑1990s)