Crown Prince of Kuwait

Crown Prince of Kuwait
ولي العهد الكويت
Arms of His Highness the Crown Prince of Kuwait
Incumbent
Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah
since 2 June 2024
Details
StyleHis Highness
Formation29 October 1962
ResidenceBayan Palace

The Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait is the heir apparent to the Emir of Kuwait. Under Article 4 of the Constitution of Kuwait, this position can only be held by the descendants of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, and must be designated within a year of the Emir's accession. This designation is given effect by a combination of the Emir's nomination, and its approval by the National Assembly, as signified by a majority vote of its members in a special sitting.[1][2] If this does not happen, the Constitution requires the Emir to nominate three descendants of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, of whom the National Assembly will pledge allegiance to one as the Crown Prince or heir apparent. To be appointed, the nominee must also have attained the age of majority, be of sound mind, and be the legitimate son of Muslim parents.[2][3]

There are three successional customs which influence the choice of Crown Prince. First, the pick alternates between descendants of two of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah's sons: Jaber II Al-Sabah and Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah (until 2006, when a Salim emir was overthrown, and 2024, when a descendant of Hamad Al-Mubarak was chosen). Second, the Crown Prince is chosen by the Family Council, from among other elder members of the royal family. Third, the matter of succession is a family affair and kept secret. As such, it is not open to public debate.[3]

  1. ^ "Next in Line: Succession and the Kuwaiti Monarchy". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  2. ^ a b "Kuwait Constitution". The Diwan of The Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait. Archived from the original on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b "The Emirate of Kuwait Challenged by Succession :: Observatoire of Arab-Muslim World and Sahel :: Foundation for Strategic Research :: FRS". www.frstrategie.org. Retrieved 2020-12-13.