Queen Noor's Future: Part II

Reina · #1 02-16-2005, 11:52 PM

Well I was reading the old thread called Queen Noor's Future and I thought it would be interesting to start it up again seeing that CP Hamzah has been stripped of his Crown Princely title.

Like Humera said in the old thread I do not envy HM. I think it kind of sad that she goes from being a full-fledged queen to one who has to really work hard for her money. I don't think it wise for her to remarry, but it would be better to have a companion-although I am against that idea too since it is better to remarry. But I just don't know about her having to travel all the time and giving those speeches. It seems tiring. I don't know. But I just can't put to rest that Hamzah won't be king. It is not denial cuz I still think that it is possible. But it is also possibkle that Jordan could lose its monarchy esp. with the leadership (?) that KA upholds which is far from his dad's. Even my advisor who is not into royals, but is my major advisor, said that he really isn't that much of a leader like his dad is. Anyway back to Noor. I think she should slow down all those speaking engagements, but still speak out about issues-just not to where she is busy all the time. But her kids are growing up...

Alexandria · #2 02-17-2005, 10:38 AM

I don't think Queen Noor has to work as hard for her money as someone who works in a factory does. Queen Noor's family was in the least an upper middle class family, so she came from some money even if it was not like Donald Trump or Richard Branson money.

And when King Hussein passed away, even though he had a large family, I'm sure that Queen Noor was left a sizable inheritance as she was the mother of his four youngest children and the girls were quite young when their father died.

And I doubt that she's is really strapped for cash -- she has at least two homes and must maintain them financially. So if she were really hurting for money she'd have at least sold one of those homes by now.

As for her speaking engagements, when Queen Noor travels, I'm sure her agents make sure that she travels with the best of accomodations, so she is not exactly spending her nights before a speaking engagement in a seedy motel or even a middle class hotel such as a Holiday Inn.

And as someone who has heard one of Queen Noor's speeches, I think people who have lived a life as she has, seen as much as she has and been a witness to things such as Middle Eastern peace talks, there is much insight to be garnered and learned from Queen Noor's speeches. Even when she speaks about how she coped during King Hussein's illness and those weeks spent in the hospital as he endured treatment for his cancer, what she said was very inspiring and comforting -- it makes one realize that things like even though they were at the time the King and Queen of Jordan cancer hits everybody and that as his wife how scared and sad she was of losing him and how each day was a fight for his life. And what she has to say about the peace talks between Middle Eastern leaders, as someone who witnessed it through the eyes of her husband who was very much part of such a process, enables everyone else to learn what did and didn't work and how we can propel the process forward.

And if you've ever met Queen Noor, she is still an energetic and spirited individual. She does not seem run down in the least with raising her children, supporting them and these speaking engagements. Queen Elizabeth II hast at least 15-20 years on Queen Noor and keeps up a much more vigorous schedule, so I don't see why Queen Noor would be so tired.

**Humera** · #3 02-17-2005, 02:10 PM

Alexandria's post reminded me of something I'd read a couple of weeks ago. All those speeches Queen Noor makes, she gets paid quite a bit of money for those. I've heard that former President Clinton gets $100, 000 per speech. Queen Noor gets at least a five-figure amount, I read $60, 000 somewhere. Thats not to say ofcourse that she needs the money.
When Prince Hamzah was still Crown Prince, I used to think that Queen Noor would never remarry unless she wanted to jeopardize her son's position. But now that Hamzah isnt CP, in many ways things would be a lot easier on Noor. She wont have to be so guarded about everything she does or says. Perhaps she could even think about the possibility of remarriage. But that would mean her losing her title of Queen. If that happens then her position within the royal family would be further diminished. So I guess things are still complicated. Though I wouldnt want her to spend all her life by herself. If she finds someone and loves him very much, I dont think she'd care much about the title. Although her kids would I think. I dont know if they'd want her to remarry.

maryshawn · #4 02-18-2005, 03:12 AM

Just a note--when it comes to cancer and environment, Noor has donated her time to speaking on more than several occasions.....so that's nice of her. These causes are clearly important to her.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~*~Humera~*~

Alexandria's post reminded me of something I'd read a couple of weeks ago. All those speeches Queen Noor makes, she gets paid quite a bit of money for those. I've heard that former President Clinton gets $100, 000 per speech. Queen Noor gets at least a five-figure amount, I read $60, 000 somewhere. Thats not to say ofcourse that she needs the money.
When Prince Hamzah was still Crown Prince, I used to think that Queen Noor would never remarry unless she wanted to jeopardize her son's position. But now that Hamzah isnt CP, in many ways things would be a lot easier on Noor. She wont have to be so guarded about everything she does or says. Perhaps she could even think about the possibility of remarriage. But that would mean her losing her title of Queen. If that happens then her position within the royal family would be further diminished. So I guess things are still complicated. Though I wouldnt want her to spend all her life by herself. If she finds someone and loves him very much, I dont think she'd care much about the title. Although her kids would I think. I dont know if they'd want her to remarry.

maryshawn · #5 02-18-2005, 03:23 AM

She's still quite young (by the way, enjoyed all your posts and this particular thread!) so it does seem a shame IF she found a partner she wanted to marry she would not go ahead and do it. The children, who she says in "People," when promoting her book were against remarriage will just have to understand. They have their own lives to live and she has fulfilled her role as mother very well by all accounts--except for her own fretting about "choosing her husband" over her children at times and worrying if it will impact them.

She is certainly not poor; I have always wondered why the sudden sale of house in Potomac (she lives in McCleen rental) and London......and has gone on record to say the King's wealth was nowhere near speculation. Reminds me of Jackie Kennedy; "everyone" knew her estate was $100 million until her attorney said in "Newsweek" it was more in the $30 million range. Not that I'm thinking this was insufficient......that's a lot of money!

I just wish her the best as she is a classy, lovely lady who has tried to spend the last five years trying to reinvent herself--never an easy task--from Queen of Jordan to a Queen who gives talks and whose title is more of a meaningless one in that she no longer wields the power she had. But all who know her say she reinvented herself when she moved to East Coast with her family, then when she became Queen, and now, its time to do it again. If anyone can handle it with grace, albeit it must still hurt at times, she can.

closesttoheaven · #6 02-18-2005, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reina

Well I was reading the old thread called Queen Noor's Future and I thought it would be interesting to start it up again seeing that CP Hamzah has been stripped of his Crown Princely title.

Like Humera said in the old thread I do not envy HM. I think it kind of sad that she goes from being a full-fledged queen to one who has to really work hard for her money. I don't think it wise for her to remarry, but it would be better to have a companion-although I am against that idea too since it is better to remarry. But I just don't know about her having to travel all the time and giving those speeches. It seems tiring. I don't know. But I just can't put to rest that Hamzah won't be king. It is not denial cuz I still think that it is possible. But it is also possibkle that Jordan could lose its monarchy esp. with the leadership (?) that KA upholds which is far from his dad's. Even my advisor who is not into royals, but is my major advisor, said that he really isn't that much of a leader like his dad is. Anyway back to Noor. I think she should slow down all those speaking engagements, but still speak out about issues-just not to where she is busy all the time. But her kids are growing up...

i think she inherited enough money for the rest of her lifetime and doesnt hard work for her money. maybe she does work caused by loving this kind of work.

but whats up with jordan?why doesnt she stay there much time or travel there?
and do her children still live with her?

**Warren** · #7 02-18-2005, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by closesttoheaven

but whats up with jordan?why doesnt she stay there much time or travel there?

Jordan is a very small country; Having two Queens living there would just invite speculation about rivalry between them. Especially after recent events.

As an analogy, in the British aristocracy, a Dowager Duchess would leave the main house and live in a "cottage" somewhere on the estate, leaving the ancestral mansion to the new Duke and his Duchess.

And perhaps Queen Noor believes (in my opinion, correctly) that she has something to contribute on a wider international stage.

It is always difficult for a widowed Queen to find her place without "treading on the toes" or "outshining" the new Queen, who also has to find her way.

closesttoheaven · #8 02-18-2005, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warren

Jordan is a very small country; Having two Queens living there would just invite speculation about rivalry between them. Especially after recent events.

As an analogy, in the British aristocracy, a Dowager Duchess would leave the main house and live in a "cottage" somewhere on the estate, leaving the ancestral mansion to the new Duke and his Duchess.

And perhaps Queen Noor believes (in my opinion, correctly) that she has something to contribute on a wider international stage.

It is always difficult for a widowed Queen to find her place without "treading on the toes" or "outshining" the new Queen, who also has to find her way.

okay - and what is with bab al salam?
i thought its her house and she would stay there - once she said that.

shelley · #9 02-18-2005, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maryshawn

I just wish her the best as she is a classy, lovely lady who has tried to spend the last five years trying to reinvent herself--never an easy task--from Queen of Jordan to a Queen who gives talks and whose title is more of a meaningless one in that she no longer wields the power she had. But all who know her say she reinvented herself when she moved to East Coast with her family, then when she became Queen, and now, its time to do it again. If anyone can handle it with grace, albeit it must still hurt at times, she can.

Re invention is the name of the game in the JRF ! As you say, Q, Noor had to find a role for herself; so too did former Crown Prince Hassan, who had to find a new direction in his professional life after thirty five years - and at least Queen Noor did not have to overcome the slander and calumny that Prince Hassan faced. She also must have at some point taken on board with a husband so much older than herself, that even if he had not died when he did from illness, she would most likely have had to face a long period of widowhood. King Abdullah too had to reinvent himself from a prince who spent much of his life watching events from the sidelines to the being the man at the vortex of events.

Reina · #10 02-19-2005, 12:09 AM

YEah QN is really good at adjusting herself to totoally new situations and being so flexible. But her future is a bit hazy.

amina1 · #11 02-19-2005, 01:32 AM

[quote=Warren]Jordan is a very small country; Having two Queens living there would just invite speculation about rivalry between them. Especially after recent events.

I don't think it's a logical reason, we are not talking about a town or a city, Jordan still is a country of 5million people,there's lots to do. if they cooperated together and thought about the people, they will be deeply admired and respected. I am not blaming anyone of them, but I heard KAbdullah said the same QUOTE statement, God knows why.

closesttoheaven · #12 02-19-2005, 01:28 PM

[quote=amina1
I don't think it's a logical reason, we are not talking about a town or a city, Jordan still is a country of 5million people,there's lots to do. if they cooperated together and thought about the people, they will be deeply admired and respected. I am not blaming anyone of them, but I heard KAbdullah said the same QUOTE statement, God knows why.[/QUOTE]

yeah i think so too!
it is ranjas problem,not queen noors. maybe it isnt possible to cooperate with QR?!
and once queen noor told she wouldnt leave jordan and queen noor has only the title *queen*.
so maybe ranja has really a big problem with noor.....

**Warren** · #13 02-19-2005, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by closesttoheaven

yeah i think so too!
it is ranjas problem,not queen noors. maybe it isnt possible to cooperate with QR?!
and once queen noor told she wouldnt leave jordan and queen noor has only the title *queen*.
so maybe ranja has really a big problem with noor.....

Perhaps there is no problem.

Maybe Queen Noor is just giving Queen Rania some space.

I intended my first post to be just a possible explanation; I am surprised it has turned into Noor versus Rania .

closesttoheaven · #14 02-19-2005, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warren

Perhaps there is no problem.

Maybe Queen Noor is just giving Queen Rania some space.

I intended my first post to be just a possible explanation; I am surprised it has turned into Noor versus Rania .

but i think leaving jordan is more than giving some space....it is a lot of space!
more space is not possible!

Genevieve · #15 02-19-2005, 04:52 PM

I think Noor was forced to leave Jordan because Rania was insecure about her role as Queen. Rather than allow Noor to remain in Jordan and seek Noor's advice and guidance on the role of being a Jordanian queen, Rania was jealous and insecure that most Jordanians would prefer Noor to her and continue to support Noor.

Rania will always walk in Noor's shadow. Noor, whatever problems she had in the early years of her reign, made up for them in the last 10 years. She supported her husband, the ever great King Hussein, as a faithful wife through many difficult times professionally and privately, as well as brining much public attention to Jordan and international causes.

During the last years of his life when King Hussein had cancer than was in remission than sick again, and all the while the Middle East peace talks were being brokered by President Clinton at Camp David, there were several interviews given by Noor by herself and with the late King. The thing most remarkable about those interviews was that one really paid attention to Noor's words and what she was saying, rather than focusing on her clothes as one inevitably always does with Rania.

From Noor's agenda in her last months as queen and her agenda today, and Rania's agenda today, both of these women represent different charities and champion different organizations. Why can't they both stay in the same country and make Jordan a stronger nation?

But as Noor was forced out of Jordan, she is probably better off anyway. The further away she distances herself from the present King and his designer-wearing wife the better. She can champion her causes in New York, Washington, London, wherever without the 'stigma' of "jealous former Queen" attached to her. Noor can now live her life as she wants to, raise her daughters as she wants to, and not be under the thumb of Abdullah and Rania.

maryshawn · #16 02-20-2005, 12:47 AM

All are excellent points! I learn so much from this discussion......I too thought Ba'ab al Salaam would be "home base" as I believe--correct me if wrong--QN said so on Larry King and alluded to it in her book and articles. She said "This will always be my home" and one interviewer said it made sense as her family (parents and siblings) moved around a lot, there was no sense of permanence and the only place she seemed to find it was in Jordan. And she said she loved that house because KH loved the house and they designed all of it from rooms to garden together......seems a shame it must sit empty for many months during the year......unless her children use it as their home base when in Jordan--which would make sense, I suppose. I wonder how much time the girls spend there and if Haya stays there while visiting Jordan as, whatever she feels about QN and we don't know for sure, it was her dad's home too. Any ideas?

maryshawn · #17 02-20-2005, 12:54 AM

I forgot to add, the points about Prince Hassan, KA, et al having to reinvent themselves, as well, are excellent and on target. I adored/adore KH but he certainly left a lot of the JRF in turmoil in the few short days prior to his death when so many things changed so quickly......and I don't know what Hassan is doing--likely, handling himself with typical dignity but has he been "assigned an official role and responsibilities?" If anyone knows, I'd love to know or be directed to a thread with new information regarding this. Thanks, Mary Shawn

Isabel · #18 02-22-2005, 12:57 PM

I don't think that Queen Noor's future is really going to be "hazy." Jordan simply isn't big enough for two Queens. I think that it is good for her to spend some time in Jordan, but not too much. She really has to create another life for herself outside of Jordan, and she seems to be doing that by giving speeches, her charity and humanitarian work. There really isn't much more that she can do, but way of being on her own. As for Jordan, I think that it would be lovely for Queen Noor to be able to spend more time there, but it really isn't feasible and would simply cause problems between those who who are longtime supporters of Noor and not sure about Rania. Besides, I have also heard that there is a lot of gossip in Jordan in certain circles which would only cause more problems concerning the "rift" between the two Queens.