King Mohammed VI of Morocco has been diagnosed with “acute bilateral pneumonitis of viral origin,” according to the Royal House on Sunday.
The King has been prescribed a “few days for the monarch” by his doctor.
The 56-year-old monarch will be unable to attend the funeral of former French President Jacques Chirac as a result. He had planned to travel to France to pay his respects to the late French leader and offer his condolences to the friends and family of Chirac. His personal visit was planned due to the “strong and deep relations that have always bound the two families.”
Instead, the King’s 16-year-old son, Crown Prince Moulay Hassan will go in his place to represent him at the official funeral. The Crown Prince, although still underage, represents his father at several engagements.
Jacques Chirac died at the age of 86 on 26 September 2019 in Paris. Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, King Felipe of Spain, and King Harald of Norway have sent their condolences to current French President Emmanuel Macron, the French people, and Chirac’s family.
King Mohammed also sent a message of condolence to the Chirac family saying, in part, “I pay tribute to this great man with exceptional human qualities. He gave friendship the value it deserved, and he knew how to express it through strong symbolic initiatives.”
Mr Chirac’s funeral Mass will be held today in Paris. He has been granted a full state funeral. Prince Albert of Monaco, King Letsie III of Lesotho, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, the Emir of Qatar (Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani), and Crown Prince of Kuwait (Nasser Al-Sabah) will be in attendance.
