Alia and Noor

[maryshawn]

This was in 1976, the year before QA died. I wish she had written more--Noor, I mean--in her autobiography about Alia and her thoughts and impressions......it might have been hard but it would have been so interesting.


THANK GOD YOU CAN OPEN THE PHOTO!!!!! I am trying to clean up!

Mary Shawn

Originally Posted by nilah

When did Lisa Halaby traveled to Jordan first?

[maryshawn]

Good question. Alia was born in Dec. 1948; Noor was born in Aug. 1951, I believe. So a 3 year age difference--not much. Alia was 28 when she died in Feb. 1977; Noor was 26 when she married in June 1978.

Originally Posted by sommone

Hey MS, isn't Alia only a few years older than Noor?

[maryshawn]

Here is best I can do with photo. I hope it helps. If anyone would like, I can email to them and they can play around to try and get clearer image.

[Reina]

Wasn't the 1st time KH and QN met was at the airport? I thought he asked her for dinner right after.

[maryshawn]

Well, it was the first time they met. Najeeb Halaby was an official consultant to the Royal Jordanian Airline and a close friend of KH. His daughter had finished her work in Iran and was on her way to the US where she had applied for journalism at Columbia University. She agreed to meet her dad for the ceremony.....leading to the meeting. QA was alive at the time and, while they exchanged greetings, the future QN only got to know KH when she dropped the notion of University and accepted a job arranged by her dad at the Royal Jordanian Airlines in PR, I think. The King was often around.....they met again and again with "hi" and "goodbye"---and then he asked her to consult on Al Nadwa, the royal palace, about some architecural flaws (that was her first degree) and one thing led to another......that first meeting lasted 6 hours....and weeks later, their engagement was announced.

Originally Posted by Reina

Wasn't the 1st time KH and QN met was at the airport? I thought he asked her for dinner right after.

[maryshawn]

By the way, this photo was obtained from the Silver Jubilee issue of the Royal Jordanian Airlines. It featured QA too and mentioned she had recently died. I was unsure it was the future Noor till watching a documentary which zoomed in and said "here is Alia and here is Lisa Halaby with her dad."

[tipper]

Originally Posted by maryshawn

By the way, this photo was obtained from the Silver Jubilee issue of the Royal Jordanian Airlines. It featured QA too and mentioned she had recently died. I was unsure it was the future Noor till watching a documentary which zoomed in and said "here is Alia and here is Lisa Halaby with her dad."

thanx, Mary, I think the 2 Ladies are not similar at all, I liked Alia, but Noor is different, though she has changed alot from the time she 1st met KH-

[maryshawn]

Yes, I just read that book recommended by another member on Arabic women in general; QN in particular. In the beginning she was welcomed readily as she presented an image of simplicity with her rather lank hair, minimal makeup and very simple clothing and minimal jewelry--like a simple gold heart bracelet, gold studs and that was it. THEN the stylists got ahold of her and suddenly it was like QR is experiencing--haute couture, glossy hairdos, expensive jewels, etc. This gave the Jordanians a different, not nearly as nice an impression of her. Suddenly, she was just another glamorous jet-setter--or seemed so according to those interviewed in the book. She regained her footing and, while remains beautiful, paired her wardrobe down to casual jeans made in Jordan, caftans and other gowns made by jordanian designers, and, yes, she shopped from "Spiegel," "Talbots," and other catalogs for simple skirts and shirts and shoes. Her jewels were paired down a bit and she began sporting turkish evil eye bracelets, which you can get quite inexpensively (I found one just like the blue one she wears for less than $100), bracelets from her children, allah pendants and far less elaborate attire. She also began to incorporate the use of scarves, not just for wearing in mosques (and I apologize for not knowing correct name). The things which remain consistent are the evil eye bracelet, from her publisher, and her husband's ring on her pinky finger. I think this simplicity only enhances her beauty. As one gets older, many fashionistas recommend less is more--but whatever is driving her style, I find it very becoming. I like what she said not long ago: "Many countries' royals wear attire made by their country's designers---like Princess Diana at first. When I became Queen, there were not many designers but now I rely on several and hope I am promoting their work globally just as Diana did so they receive their due."


You know what I wish--despite loving QN. That QA had altered her plans and decided to stay at the home in Aqaba after her hurried visit to a hospital there to ensure patients were receiving good care........She knew a sandstorm was brewing and could be severe. Why oh why did she decide to fly into it? It was like the famous 30s and 40s actress wife of Clark Gable, Carole Lombard. When WWII began, she was the first "star" to go on a fundraising mission for the troups. She left by train but, overrode her mother and publicist's concerns, and insisted on flying home--even though it meant displacing some soldiers as the plane was smaller......her plane crashed into a mountain outside of Las Vegas and she died at age 33. It seemed so unnecessary, like QA. While he married twice more and loved his last wife with whom he had his only child, his widow respected his wishes and buried him beside Carole Lombard--his dying request. It would have been nice if KH had been buried next to QA--at the very least, in that mosque, the children's visits would be even more private and it would've given them some comfort I believe. Just my thoughts.........ever the romantic, I guess!

Originally Posted by tipper

thanx, Mary, I think the 2 Ladies are not similar at all, I liked Alia, but Noor is different, though she has changed alot from the time she 1st met KH-

[Rhaegar]

I'm so sorry for being such a dodo bird, but can you point out to me which one is Queen Alia and which one is Lisa Halaby and her father? Thanks..

[Ipi Tombe]

i read the book, too.

but i still raise a fairly skeptical eyebrow to the timing. she consults on the king's palace and 6wks later she is his bride.

sure, if that is what you want to believe....

Originally Posted by maryshawn

Well, it was the first time they met. Najeeb Halaby was an official consultant to the Royal Jordanian Airline and a close friend of KH. His daughter had finished her work in Iran and was on her way to the US where she had applied for journalism at Columbia University. She agreed to meet her dad for the ceremony.....leading to the meeting. QA was alive at the time and, while they exchanged greetings, the future QN only got to know KH when she dropped the notion of University and accepted a job arranged by her dad at the Royal Jordanian Airlines in PR, I think. The King was often around.....they met again and again with "hi" and "goodbye"---and then he asked her to consult on Al Nadwa, the royal palace, about some architecural flaws (that was her first degree) and one thing led to another......that first meeting lasted 6 hours....and weeks later, their engagement was announced.

[maryshawn]

Now that I look closely, QN resembles her mother's looks, which were swedish. Did you know QN said her mother "greatly resents QN's interest in her arabic roots far more than her swedish ones?" She also refused to call Noor Noor; until QN said to her "It's been a year; my name is no longer Lisa---please use my name, Noor. Lisa never felt like my real name anyway; Noor is a gift from my husband. You insult this gift when you persist in calling me Lisa."

Originally Posted by sol_anglada

Dear,
With your permission I want to tell you tajt in my opinion both queens are very different. Queen Noor has Lebanon roots but in fact they don't appear on her face. In the oposite side, the died Queen Alia was palestinian and you can see this characteristic on her.
Sol

[maryshawn]

From left to right it's QA and KH. A bit behind them at the airport (behind KH) is a tall man and a young woman in a long skirt. They are Najeeb Halaby and Lisa, who a year later would be QN.

[tipper]

Originally Posted by maryshawn

KINGHUSSAN001.jpg


Well, got Alia; Lisa is much more problematic.....but will keep trying!

Lisa had a big nose, but none of her kids has it, maybe Hamzah... as for alia, the same ,she had a big nose, I wonder, did Hayah had a nose job, her nose is lovely.... anyway, they resemble each other, the way Lisa used to be at the time-

[tipper]

Originally Posted by bubbles

hi Mary Shawn,

the pics look great! thanx for all your hard work. i know you have been trying very hard for the last couple of days to post some pictures.you are doing a great job. it is very much appreciated.

take care,
bubbles

we all appreciate it, Mary, thanx for the effort, Alia and Noor are my pref Queens.

[tipper]

Originally Posted by maryshawn

If you look carefully at other photos I am trying to add during her early years, her nose seems streamlined. QA's was not; hence, some resemblance in earlier years there. Thank goodness, her lip collagen phase seems to have come and gone or been modified so they look more normal. In earlier shots, her lips are thinner. She was quoted as saying both she and KH participated in some face exercising program to enhance cheekbones and generally give more youthful appearance. Like Jackie Onassis, she seems to have had some "freshening up" around eyes w/in past few years. And a really great "stylist" can work wonders! Look at all the Hollywood "stars" and even late Princess Diana. They took her from her preference NOT to wear makeup to wearing it well, made her hair more lustruous with highlighting and selected a lovely wardrobe enhancing her overall "look." It's amazing what they can do!

well, I think Lisa, I love this name, but I love the name Noor as well, I think she was very pretty be4e her nose and lips job, of course, she's now stunning, I think Raiyah resembles her alot-

[tipper]

Originally Posted by sol_anglada

Well, you know that in spite of having lebanon roots in fact Queen Noor parents were American. In my opinion Queen Noor, very beatiful, of course could be consider, acording her face as American, Canadin or European.
Sol

Sol, from QN's mother side, her roots are Swedish, from her paternal grandmother, her roots are Scottish and English, from her paternal grandfather her roots are :) Syrian- Lebanese, of course her western roots are there on her feautures.

[Bubbette]

Originally Posted by tipper

Lisa had a big nose, but none of her kids has it, maybe Hamzah... as for alia, the same ,she had a big nose, I wonder, did Hayah had a nose job, her nose is lovely.... anyway, they resemble each other, the way Lisa used to be at the time-

Haya definitely had a nose job--there's a photo in one of her threads before and after. Her nose used to be very broad like her mother's.

[sol_anglada]

Originally Posted by tipper

Sol, from QN's mother side, her roots are Swedish, from her paternal grandmother, her roots are Scottish and English, from her paternal grandfather her roots are :) Syrian- Lebanese, of course her western roots are there on her feautures.

Thanks dear "Tipper", fr explaining me this.
So:)

[maryshawn]

It does seem short, even for a "whirlwind courtship." What struck me in the book is 6 weeks seemed to be drawn out with her describing how she thought and thought about his proposal.......and how he had to bring the issue up again and again "then drop it for awhile." It made it seem more like 6 months but it was, in fact, 6 weeks. It would seem far more likely to me they began courting when she moved to Jordan at the behest of her father.....and I can't remember when that was but it was months before she states the courtship began. I need to look up that article written by the journalist who described him as a lonely man and said it was post Alia and just before Noor. I posted it somewhere. That may give a better idea of timing.

Originally Posted by Ipi Tombe

i read the book, too.

but i still raise a fairly skeptical eyebrow to the timing. she consults on the king's palace and 6wks later she is his bride.

sure, if that is what you want to believe....

[maryshawn]

"In February of 1978, almost exactly 21 years ago, I went to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with the notion of meeting with the king......"this is the quote from the LA Times journalist ("The King and I" was name of article) who says he had not yet begun his courtship of Lisa Halaby. Her words lead one to believe He was so lonely, she wonders what would've happened had she accepted his invitation to stay longer in Jordan. Now Lisa was in Jordan by Feb. 1978 but He made no mention of anyone--saying "Alia was the only one who understood me." In looking at her article, it reads like the "first date" Lisa had with KH. Journalist arrives for afternoon meeting, meeting leads to dinner then seeing sleeping children, using his ham operator equipment to call LA, .....not ending till very late at night with one of his aides on her doorstep the next day asking her to consider staying longer in Jordan. Lisa Halaby went to KH's palace for a meeting on its construction defects and that led to six hours of eating, meeting his kids, seeing his home and stables......Interesting.