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The powerful Pasha of Marrakech Thami El Glaoui was one of the Arab personalities who attended Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. But unlike the queen of England’s distinguished guests, El Glaoui was turned down and humiliated during the ceremony.
Known for his extravagant lifestyle and European friends, Thami El Glaoui dreamed of taking part of the ceremony of crowning Elizabeth II. The Pasha who sought recognition from the soon-to-be Queen of England, never received what he wanted even after securing an invitation to her coronation.
According to American magazine Vanity Fair, Thami El Glaoui «lobbied for an invitation through his pal Winston Churchill». Indeed, the Moroccan man was invited by the British Prime Minister, at the time, who was one of his «dearest friends».
Winston Churchill's personal guest
In his book «Morocco since 1830 : A History» (C. Hurst & Co. Publishers, 2000), British historian Richard Pennell recalled that El Glaoui was invited to the Queen’s coronation «as a personal guest» of Winston Churchill.
Pennell indicates that «a personal guest was not an official one», which explains why the Pasha’s name was not part of the list of guests at the coronation of Elizabeth II. This was not the only factor that made of El Glaoui’s trip to London «humiliating».
According to the same book, when El Glaoui traveled to London in June 1953, to attend the long-awaited ceremony he did not receive the recognition he was longing for. In fact, the powerful man who had his glory days touring Europe and meeting famous European figures, was dying for «knighthood».
Thami El Glaoui «expected the sword on his shoulder at the 1953 coronation (…) but he was turned away and humiliated», wrote Vanity Fair. In fact, the Pasha was not knighted, simply because he was not the Queen’s official guest.
According to other historical accounts, unlucky El Glaoui had even brought with him a number of lavish gifts to give to the Queen, who ended up not receiving him.
A golden tiara set with emeralds and a Moroccan dagger
However, the Pasha’s trip to London in 1953 was thoroughly narrated by his son Abdessadeq El Glaoui. In his book «Le Ralliement : Le Glaoui, mon père : récit et témoignage» (Marsam Editions, 2004), El Glaoui the son tried to explain his father’s situation in London.
«The Pasha refused to attend the ceremony empty-handed», wrote Abdessadeq El Glaoui who insisted that his father was not humiliated at all. He recalled that the famous Pasha «brought precious gifts for the Queen of England and her husband, Prince Philip».
«He chose a golden tiara set with big emeralds for the Queen, and a Moroccan dagger wrapped in gold and decorated with precious stones for Prince Philip».
According to his son, El Glaoui, unexpectedly, received a message from Churchill, informing him about the fact the British royal couple can only accept gifts from rulers and head of states, attending the coronation ceremony.
«The Pasha attended the coronation in the Prime Minister’s lodge and brought his gifts back to Morocco without feeling insulted», argued Abdessadeq El Glaoui, adding that «it was fair enough to him to know that the Queen knew about his intention».
El Glaoui stressed in his book that what happened in London did not do harm to the strong friendship that brought his father and the British Prime Minister together.
