King Abdullah II of Jordan; photo credit: AP Photo/Yousef Allan, Jordanian Royal Palace
A Brief Background History: Transjordan was once part of the Ottoman Empire and became part of Palestine in 1917. In 1921, Transjordan became an autonomous division of Palestine under the leadership of Sharif Abdullah bin al-Hussein who then became Emir of Transjordan. Abdullah bin al-Hussein was the son of Hussein bin Ali, Sharif and Emir of Mecca, who was instrumental in starting the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. In 1916, Hussein bin Ali proclaimed himself King of Hejaz, a region of present-day Saudi Arabia, and also declared himself King of all Arabs. This last move enraged another Arab leader, Abdul Aziz Al Saud, who defeated Hussein bin Ali in 1924, caused him to abdicate the throne of Hejaz, and then became the first King of Saudi Arabia. Hussein bin Ali’s three sons all became kings: Ali was briefly was King of Hejaz, Abdullah was King of Jordan, and Faisal was King of Iraq and Syria. Faisal was an important figure in the revolt against the Ottoman Empire and received assistance from British Army Captain T. E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia.
In 1946, Transjordan became a kingdom, Emir Abdullah was proclaimed the king, and the name of the country was changed from the Emirate of Transjordan to the Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan. In 1948, the Parliament of Transjordan approved the creation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which is the complete name of the country.
Monarch links are to Unofficial Royalty biography articles.
For more information see:
List of Kings of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
King Abdullah I, son of Hussein bin Ali, Sharif and Emir of Mecca
born February 1882, reign 25 May 1946 – 20 July 1951 (assassinated)
King Talal I, son of King Abdullah I
born 26 February 1909, reign 20 July 1951 – 11 August 1952 (abdicated), died 7 July 1972
King Hussein I, son of King Talal I
born 14 November 1935, reign 11 August 1952 – 7 February 1999
King Abdullah II, son of King Hussein I
born 30 January 1962, reign 7 February 1999 – Present