Trailing clouds of glory… the royal path

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has a prominent role in promoting the objectives of reform and development within the Kingdom, in accordance with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad.

 HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister was born on 21 October 1969, and is the eldest son of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.

His Royal Highness Prince Salman was educated in Bahrain, and subsequently attended the American University in Washington DC, graduating with a BA in Public Administration.

He went on to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge, where he earned a Masters in Philosophy and History. His Royal Highness was sworn in as Crown Prince of the State of Bahrain on 9 March 1999, following his father’s accession to the throne as Amir of Bahrain, and assumed the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force on 22 March the same year.

Prior to his appointment as Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Salman served as Undersecretary of Defence from 1995 to 1999 and also as Vice Chairman and then Chairman of Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research.

On 3 March 2002, His Royal Highness was appointed Chairman of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), which is responsible for formulating and overseeing the Kingdom’s economic development strategy and attracting foreign direct investment into Bahrain.

On 6 January 2008, His Majesty King Hamad appointed His Royal Highness Prince Salman to the post of Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

In March 2013, His Royal Highness was appointed by His Majesty the King as First Deputy Prime Minister. In this capacity, His Royal Highness played a key role in promoting development within the Kingdom as well as supporting important development of economic, education and health services.

On 11 November 2020, His Royal Highness was appointed by His Majesty the King as Prime Minister.’ His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued Royal Order 44 / 2020 appointing His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, as Prime Minister.

The Royal Order takes effect from the date of its issuance and will be published in the Official Gazette, BNA reported.

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa expressed profound confidence His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa will follow on the path taken by his fathers and grandfathers in serving Bahrain and Bahrainis with patriotism and a strong sense of justice and equality among citizens.

“We are confident that you will follow the path of your fathers and grandfathers, committed to the love of, and belonging to, Bahrain, dedication to sincere and serious action, determination, resolve, and being guided by high morals and generosity based on piety, love for people, keenness on serving them and on justice and equality among them,” HM the King wrote in a message to HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

His Royal Highness chairs the committee in charge of enacting the principles of the National Action Charter and supports important reform of economic, education and health services.

In addition to further strengthening communication channels with all segments of Bahraini society, His Royal Highness works to enhance cooperation and coordination with various countries. Prince Salman has two sons and two daughters.

Outside of his official duties, Prince Salman has a number of hobbies, including marksmanship, scuba diving and motorsports.

Awards and honours

His Royal Highness has been awarded a number of honours, these include Order of Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (Wisam al-Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa), First Class King Hamad Order of the Renaissance 1st class (Wisam al Nahda) Order of Ahmad Al Fateh (Wisam Ahmad al-Fateh), First Class Order of Bahrain (Wisam al-Bahrain), First Class The Medal of Military Merit (Wissam al-Khidmat al-Askari), First Class Hawar Medal (Wisam al-Hawar), First Class Kuwait Liberation Medal, First Class Jordan Grand Cordon of the Order of the Renaissance (Wisam al-Nahda), First Class UAE Collar of the Order of Etihad.