Saudi King Abdullah dead at 90

[JRDelirious]

@Der_Trihs

Note that he’s quite old at 79, and not too healthy.

Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz is the next in the succession, and “only” 69.

For now, Muqrin’s former post of Deputy Crown Prince has been filled with a nephew of 55, Mohammed bin Nayef, the Interior Minister, son of the previous Crown Prince who predeceased Abdullah and signaling the first of the grandsons of Abdulaziz to be in line for the throne (subject to Ruling House politics between now and then).

[Tamerlane]

@Captain_Amazing

The King does pretty much whatever he wants. He makes laws, he appoints and dismisses ministers and judges, he decides on the budget. he appoints a legislature that can recommend laws to him. That all being said, that while in theory the King has absolute power, in practice, the kings of Saudi Arabia generally try for consensus in the royal family and ulema before they act. If the House of Saud or ulema as a whole are opposed to something, the King generally defers.

Right - it’s a bit like a late Japanese Shogunate ( we’ll ignore the emperor ). Technically absolutism, but functionally rule by committee.

[Alessan]

@Tamerlane

Right - it’s a bit like a late Japanese Shogunate ( we’ll ignore the emperor ). Technically absolutism, but functionally rule by committee.

Also a bit like China today, with the royal party as Politburo.

[Siam_Sam]

This could be a big year for royal funerals.

Not that I, um, have anyone in particular in mind.

[JRDelirious]

@Siam_Sam

This could be a big year for royal funerals.

Not that I, um, have anyone in particular in mind.

Well, Sam, there ARE a whole lot of old consorts, brothers-of-sovereigns and queen mothers/prince fathers and retired/abdicated/overthrown monarchs and less-than-sovereign princes who are getting quite long in the tooth.

Right now Elizabeth of the UK and Commonwealth Realms is the oldest (by age) and second longest-reigning monarch, but she doesn’t look like she’s going anywhere. Meanwhile Bhumibol/Rama IX of Thailand is the longest reigning by far (since 1946) and second oldest to E-II by a few months. If you’re only counting fully independent nations you have to wait all the way to 1967 for the Sultan of Brunei to be next in order of accession, and when it comes to just physical ages, Sabah of Kuwait and Akihito/Heisei of Japan are in their 80s as well and Salman is right on their heels and for all reports not doing too well.

Plus there’s a bunch of monarchs of not fully independent entities (States of Malaysia and Nigeria; Nations of Ghana, Uganda and South Africa; emirates of the UAE) who are no spring chickens and don’t look too darn good.

(BTW, if she makes it to 10 September, Libby will beat Vicky as the longest reigning monarch of England/Britain.)

[alphaboi867]

Speaking of QEII.

[Sage_Rat]

I must say, the man looked excellent for 90.

Here’s a picture of him (90) and John Kerry (71):

I’d have guessed that they were roughly the same age or that Abdullah was younger.

[JRDelirious]

@alphaboi867

Speaking of QEII.

Oh, let the Prime Minister suck up to them. I’ll make MY point myself… I like that gal.

@Sage_Rat

I must say, the man looked excellent for 90.

Here’s a picture of him (90) and John Kerry (71):

File:Kerry and Abdullah, 2014.jpg - Wikipedia

I’d have guessed that they were roughly the same age or that Abdullah was younger.

One must say, news pictures provide evidence that the Gulf monarchs have a supply of industrial-strength black mustache/beard dye always on hand…

[Siam_Sam]

@Sage_Rat

I must say, the man looked excellent for 90.

Here’s a picture of him (90) and John Kerry (71):

File:Kerry and Abdullah, 2014.jpg - Wikipedia

I’d have guessed that they were roughly the same age or that Abdullah was younger.

90 is the new 70.

[friedo]

@JRDelirious

One must say, news pictures provide evidence that the Gulf monarchs have a supply of industrial-strength black mustache/beard dye always on hand…

Petty sure they just smear on leftover pitch from the oil wells.