Her Highness Princess Fadila, Iraq's Queen-to-Be — The Youngest Queen in the World

During this past February, Her Highness Princess Fadila, the fiancée of His Majesty King Faisal, visited Iraq to become acquainted with Iraq and with its people. At the time we asked our agent in Iraq to send us a report introducing the beautiful princess to the readers of "The Woman's Voice," in view of the distinguished place His Majesty the young King holds in the hearts of all Arabs. Because the magazine was suspended for one month, the piece appears later than its appointed time — our apologies...

Princess Fadila in Baghdad

This past February, Iraq experienced a splendid historic event, in one of its happiest of days, during the visit of Her Highness Princess Fadila, the fiancée of His Majesty King Faisal II. The entire Iraqi people had been in great eagerness to meet its queen-to-be, after the newspapers and word of mouth had carried the good news about her and about her fineness of both form and character.

The Youngest Queen in the World

Princess Fadila arrived as an honored guest in the company of her parents, Prince Muhammad Ali Ibrahim and Princess Hanzad, granddaughter of Sultan Vahideddin. Her Highness is no more than sixteen years of age, and she will thereby become the youngest queen in the world!

The young princess enjoys a number of lofty qualities. She is gentle of disposition and highly refined; besides Arabic, she is fluent in Turkish, English, and French. She plays the piano well. She began her musical studies as a child of seven and completed them in Paris. Her fresh inner beauty is crowned by a radiant smile that never leaves her face.

In the Path of Queen Aliya

These qualities and many others endeared the beautiful princess to the Iraqi people, loyal to the throne. On the day at the Mayoralty of the Capital a grand celebration was held in her honor, during which Her Highness was introduced to the ladies of Iraqi society, and there she delivered an address that had the loveliest effect upon all hearts. She affirmed emphatically that she would follow the path of the late Queen Aliya, mother of His Majesty Faisal, in embracing the projects of the Iraqi woman — social and educational, above all the projects of motherhood and childhood — and that she would do her utmost to support them so far as she was able... At this, cheers and applause rose high, and tears of loyalty and joy welled in every eye.

The Iraqi Women's Union
Honors Princess Fadila

The Iraqi Women's Union held a reception in honor of its cherished guest at the Union's club, to which delegations from all the associations were invited to greet their queen-to-be. The president of the Union, Mrs. Wahbi — a lady of high mettle and glad countenance — presented the ladies of society to Her Highness, who showed great interest in the activity of the Iraqi woman and her commendable services in the social and humanitarian fields, which bespoke an early awareness and a true understanding of her profound responsibility.

The reception included delegates from: "the Arab Home," "the Sisters of Mercy to the Poor," "the Young Women's Christian Association," "the Houses of the Nation," "Child Protection," and others... Mrs. Wahbi told Her Highness Princess Fadila about each association, its works and its activity, and Her Highness repeated her admiration for the women's movement in Iraq and her readiness to support it in

all its projects.

At the Red Crescent

Her Highness Princess Fadila also visited the women's branch of the Red Crescent and expressed her amazement at the finely wrought artistic works and handwork, and showed her interest in the school supervised by the lady members of the Red Crescent.

Next Autumn

The visit of Her Highness Princess Fadila and their Highnesses her parents to Iraq came to an end, after she had taken a fitting place in every heart, owing to the sincerity they sensed in her conduct and her words, and to the true affection that showed in every gesture and every smile from Her Highness's beautiful lips... Today the Iraqi people await, with patience and longing, the coming of next autumn, the day when the happy royal rejoicings will be fulfilled, the crown will be set upon the princess's lovely head, and she will become Queen of Iraq... May God protect His Majesty Faisal and his fiancée, and preserve them both from every harm.