The Consequences of Princess Azza’s Marriage for the Ruling Family in Iraq

Abstract

The princess Azza was born in Istanbul in 1905. She lived in Mecca until she came to Iraq in 1924 and stayed there until 1935. The life of Princess Azza was very different from what she was accustomed to in the Hijaz.The political instability in Iraq led to multiple governments and tribal rebellions till the government in Baghdad became weak and cannot control the internal security. King Ghazi was forced to appoint Yassine Al-Hashemi as Prime Minister in 1935, who managed to eliminate the conflict and to establish state hegemony.One of the the problem is escape of Princess Azza, king Ghazi’s sister, with an Italian worker and her marriage from him. Not only that marriage almost led to overthrow King Ghazi, but also to end monarchy in Iraq. Foreign Affairs Minister Nori Al-Sa’id was the most indignant at the king who belived that it is necessary to overthrow the King and declare the Trusteeship Council and he nominated the Prime Minister Yasin Al-Hashimi for trusteeship. The British Embassy was not satisfied with Yassin Al-Hashimi's coming to power due to his previous views about the treaty of 1930. Her husband left her alone and returned to Jordan. She was seriously ill. She was transferred to London for treatment in 1960. She died there.