King Abdul Aziz, had many wives from various Saudi tribes and those wives gave
him many, many sons—and even more daughters. While all the sons could be considered in line for the
throne, only twelve of my grandfather’s sons were serious contenders for the crown.
Jawhara was our Uncle Fahd’s favorite wife and is the mother of his most beloved son, the
youngest, Abdul Aziz bin Fahd. In our world, the eldest son is the most important in the eyes of the father
and of the community; but the youngest son is generally the most loved. Both positions, first and last,
establish a certain favoritism.
Princess Jawhara is a unique woman. Even after our much-loved uncle passed from the earth,
Jawhara kept the respect of our family. She was part of the entourage that accompanied her husband’s
half-brother and successor, King Abdullah, on trips out of the country. Such a thing rarely happens in
Saudi Arabia. Once a husband passes from this life, the women generally retreat into the background,
never to be seen or heard from again, other than within the tight confines of their immediate family
