Rabat – The sudden absence of Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan from the closing ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, hosted by the Kingdom, has sparked widespread speculation in Moroccan media and public circles. While the young prince was expected to present the trophy to the winning team following the final match between Morocco and Senegal, his uncle, Prince Moulay Rachid, the King’s brother, appeared instead, a move that surprised many observers.
The altered protocol extended beyond the final match. The following day, Moulay Rachid received the Moroccan national team at the Royal Palace to congratulate them on reaching the final, despite their loss to Senegal. This reception, typically conducted by King Mohammed VI himself or, in his absence, by the Crown Prince, has raised questions about the true reasons behind this unusual arrangement.
The established custom for such major national events dictates that King Mohammed VI or Crown Prince Moulay Hassan be at the forefront, as their presence lends the event greater symbolic and national significance. What has changed this time?
Adding to the intrigue is the timing of the announcement regarding the King’s health. The royal statement, indicating a health condition preventing him from carrying out his duties directly, came shortly after Algeria’s elimination from the tournament by Nigeria in the quarter-finals. Some observers interpreted this timing as deliberate, suggesting it was part of a carefully calculated media strategy. The Algerian media and public’s preoccupation with the shock of their team’s unexpected defeat may have reduced regional attention on news of the Moroccan King’s health concerns, given the historical rivalry between the two countries and their mutual interest in each other’s leadership.
Despite the Crown Prince’s presence in the stands during the Moroccan national team’s initial matches, he disappeared without explanation afterwards, a notable absence in a sporting event of this magnitude hosted by the Kingdom. Most strikingly, the Royal Palace issued only one statement in the name of King Mohammed VI throughout the tournament, and that was at the very beginning.
DZWatch will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
