Queen Noor's Future

[Julian]

Why would she bother saying it if she didn't mean it? It doesn't advance or serve her or her children in any way. I think she's being frank. It may also be true that they don't even like the man or know of things in his background that we don't.

As to children wanting their parents to be "happy", they are not children anymore. I also think that generalization about wanting parents to be happy is so flawed. Many people could care less who is happy beyong their own selves, and many people also in the public eye have other considerations beyond happiness. Happiness is an elusive luxury that not even the wealthy and powerful can always afford.

[Bubbette]

Of course it helps her! Her son is Crown Prince--do you think it would go over well if his mother married anyone, let alone a non-Jordanian?!

[papillon]

Oh, I don't doubt that she *said* that; I just don't believe it's true.

Agree with you, Bubbette. QN was already dating the much younger founder of MicroStrategy the year after KH's death. He went around bragging about it, and she soon dumped him. But she's long been linked with Jim Kimsey, and attends social functions with him, travels with him, hangs out with him with her birth family. She has to deny the pairing, even though they are often seen in each other's company, because it's an untenable position for her where people from the Middle East are concerned. She is trying to be discrete, which is probably wise of her.

[papillon]

Originally posted by maryshawn@Jul 4th, 2004 - 5:53 pm
I still can't get an answer from anyone if their home in Aquaba, which she loved, became the King's automatically....if anyone knows, please write.

Any thoughts or has she made any announcements of her plans?

Don't know about the house in Aqaba, but doesn't she still have a home in Kensington and also a home in Jackson, WY with her sister, Alexa?

Also, a few months ago now, there appeared a widely reprinted article from the "Washington Post" in which QN said she was in discussions with Kofi Annan to find a role for herself in the United Nations, albeit one in which she could act not in her capacity as Queen of Jordan, but as a person who is bicultural and who has something to offer the world in terms of bridging cultural differences between East and West. I've heard nothing further, but it seemed to me at the time that maybe Kofi Annan was just hearing her out, but couldn't really find something credible for her to do as simply Noor, human being (as opposed to QN, widow of a Middle Eastern head of state). As long as she's got that title, even if it is without much power, it would be pretty difficult for him to offer her a job and expect people to see her as someone without a pro-Jordanian agenda. But, it seems obvious to me, she's a woman searching for a purposeful role in life. At the moment, she seems more socialite than heavy hitter on the world stage. It's quite a come down for her.

[QueenB]

I did hear that she still has her home in Aqaba, next door to the current king and queen's home..
If she were to remarry - wouldn't that give Abdullah premise to strip her of her Queen title?

[Genevieve]

Originally posted by QueenB@Jul 13th, 2004 - 6:58 pm
If she were to remarry - wouldn't that give Abdullah premise to strip her of her Queen title?

Is her proper title now Queen Dowager or something to that effect that would symbolize that she is a widow Queen? I think this is the case in Belgium with Fabiola and also Ingrid of Denmark and Elizabeth I of Great Britain.

Do you think that stripping Noor of her title would make any or much difference? I personally don't. I think for all intents and purposes, Noor's title of Queen is merely a courtesy title at this point. Either by choice or by private decree by Adbullah and Rania, Noor does not spend much time in Jordan, where being Queen of Jordan really matters. With the exception of her book and the subsequent book tour, Queen Noor does not seem to be "cashing in" on her former role otherwise whether through speeches (extensive and lucrative speeches such as former President Bill Clinton who has been reported to earn as much as $1 million per speech), fashion or jewellery designs under her label, perfume, or however else it is that celebrities are using their name to make them richer.

Also, I think that if Abudllah were to strip Noor of her Queen status and title, it would show the world how petty he really is. Anybody who would give the royal family money or bolster the prestige is well aware that Rania is Queen, not Noor. I don't think that that is ever confused in Jordan at present (not to my understanding of how Rania conducts herself anyway in how she flaunts her status). But as Abdullah and Rania both seem to be power hungry and seem to actively be diminishing Noor's role and presence in Jordan, I wouldn't put it past him to do this should she re-marry or do something else in her own life that might jeopardize his own status or affect the reputation of the Jordanian royal family.

Another question: What is the likelihood that Noor might marry does everyone think?

I personally don't believe that she will ever re-marry. I saw an interview with her once before King Hussein died, and then again after his death, in which she said that she could not imagine marrying anyone else when she had already had the best. But seeing as the Queen is still fairly young, I could see her having a male companion who might accompany her to some events or keep her company but not be recognized in any official capacity.

[papillon]

Originally posted by Genevieve@Jul 13th, 2004 - 6:13 pm
With the exception of her book and the subsequent book tour, Queen Noor does not seem to be "cashing in" on her former role otherwise whether through speeches (extensive and lucrative speeches such as former President Bill Clinton who has been reported to earn as much as $1 million per speech), fashion or jewellery designs under her label, perfume, or however else it is that celebrities are using their name to make them richer.

But she donated the proceeds from her book to the King Hussein Foundation, so she didn't really even cash in on that. She is, however, on the roster of a speakers' bureau that markets people to give paid speeches. Her rate is US$50,000+ per speech--I read somewhere else that it is US$60,000--though I think she still gives quite a few speeches without charging, just because they are to audiences that support her causes.

http://www.nationwidespeakers.com/sp...een_noor.html#

[Alisa]

I think this is the case in Belgium with Fabiola and also Ingrid of Denmark and Elizabeth I of Great Britain.

This isn't the case in Belgium, while Queen Fabiola is a dowager it isn't a part of her title. :flower:

[Genevieve]

Originally posted by papillon@Jul 13th, 2004 - 8:14 pm
But she donated the proceeds from her book to the King Hussein Foundation, so she didn't really even cash in on that. She is, however, on the roster of a speakers' bureau that markets people to give paid speeches. Her rate is US$50,000+ per speech--I read somewhere else that it is US$60,000--though I think she still gives quite a few speeches without charging, just because they are to audiences that support her causes.

http://www.nationwidespeakers.com/sp...een_noor.html#

I wasn't aware of this information papillon; thanks for sharing it. While it seems then that Noor does earn some money from speeches and the like, she isn't earning a lot as she is not getting paid what Bill Clinton is, and in some cases she even waves her fee.

At any rate, she isn't cashing in on her role I don't think.

Another question: Does anyone think that Queen Noor might not care much for her title, and should Abdullah decide to strip her of her Queen-ly title, it wouldn't matter too much to her?

[hrhcp]

Plus ... Queen Noor probably has an inheritance from her father.

[papillon]

Originally posted by Genevieve@Jul 13th, 2004 - 8:12 pm
I wasn't aware of this information papillon; thanks for sharing it. While it seems then that Noor does earn some money from speeches and the like, she isn't earning a lot as she is not getting paid what Bill Clinton is, and in some cases she even waves her fee.

At any rate, she isn't cashing in on her role I don't think.

Another question: Does anyone think that Queen Noor might not care much for her title, and should Abdullah decide to strip her of her Queen-ly title, it wouldn't matter too much to her?

You're welcome, Genevieve! :flower:

I agree with you that QN isn't cashing in on her role but, at the same time, she isn't really that marketable. With speeches, for example, she cannot command $1 million per pop because most/much of her power and status are derived from her marriage. Now that her husband is dead, and there's another king and queen of Jordan, her day has passed. I doubt if, even in her peak, she could have commanded the fees of a leader of a major country, if only because she was not the leader but the spouse of a leader, and then of a small, impoverished country.

You pose an interesting question about the title. I happen to think it'd be devastating to her not to have even that any more. She has derived all of her fame and most of her power from that title. Without it, who would she be? It has opened doors for her (and continues to do so). I think she'd be lost without it. At the same time, I appreciate that it can probably be a burden for her in some situations. For example, she has expressed an interest in working for the United Nations, but not as a representative of Jordan or as the spouse of a former head of state. With the title of Queen of Jordan, that's asking a lot. People automatically associate her with her country and her husband and don't really see her as an autonomous, independent working woman. So, sure, I bet there are instances in which she'd love to dump the title, but not permanently, just when it suits her purpose.

[papillon]

Originally posted by King Christian@Jul 13th, 2004 - 8:38 pm
Plus ... Queen Noor probably has an inheritance from her father.

True, but I sincerely doubt it was large enough to support the jet-setting lifestyle of a royal. And, too, it had to be divided among wives, children, grandchildren, and others he might've wanted to remember in his will.

[hrhcp]

papillon  Posted: Jul 13th, 2004 - 6:58 pm

True, but I sincerely doubt it was large enough to support the jet-setting lifestyle of a royal. And, too, it had to be divided among wives, children, grandchildren, and others he might've wanted to remember in his will.

Do I detect a note of cynicism ?

Not every father has a daughter who becomes a queen, and the father of Lisa' (as she was known before she married), Mr. Halaby was quite well off (ie: a jet-setter as well), if memory serves me correct.

[papillon]

Originally posted by King Christian@Jul 13th, 2004 - 9:24 pm
Do I detect a note of cynicism ?

Not every father has a daughter who becomes a queen, and the father of Lisa' (as she was known before she married), Mr. Halaby was quite well off (ie: a jet-setter as well), if memory serves me correct.

No, no cynicism. It's just that, in his life, he was a working professional, not someone who was born to great means. According to QN and other sources, he'd had some money problems in his working life, so I really doubt he left enough of a fortune to make everyone in his inner circle independently wealthy. QN probably blows through more money than most people to maintain her lifestyle, so it just seems very unlikely to me that any inheritance from her father would be able to sustain that for long.

[hrhcp]

even so ..... there is this "whiff" of "envy" of QN's money.

however ..... what justification have you got, that QN "blow through .... money" ?

[papillon]

Originally posted by King Christian@Jul 13th, 2004 - 10:28 pm
even so ..... there is this "whiff" of "envy" of QN's money.

however ..... what justification have you got, that QN "blow through .... money" ?

Whatever. You're entitled to your opinion. I've got my own means, so there's no need for envy.

Justification? Well, her position in life, oodles of news articles saying she's a spender, photos of her in designer and couture clothes.

Are you just in the mood for a fight? Because I don't have any interest in one. It will be very one way.

[hrhcp]

"oodles of news articles" ..... gossip or more factual ?

"photos of her in designer and couture clothes" ..... what sort of image would she present if she went around as a frump ?

[Mysterious]

Originally posted by papillon@Jul 14th, 2004 - 12:12 am


Justification? Well, her position in life, oodles of news articles saying she's a spender, photos of her in designer and couture clothes.

I have very high opinion about Queen Noor. Can you say what newspapers are you talking about? We can elaborate how much right they can be or it’s just gossip? :flower:

[papillon]

Now that QN is no longer the "ruling" queen of Jordan, what do you think the future holds for her? Will she just continue to quietly go about her humanitarian work and role as a socialite, marking time until her son C. P. Hamzah's future becomes more clear? Or will she have some surprises up her sleeve? Do you think she is happy and as well adjusted to her new life as can be expected, or do you think she is struggling to deal with it?

[hrhcp]

she is in a dilly of a pickle ...... must make sure she gets funding from her royal provider, not burn any bridges, hope she can sidle out of the lime-light ......