View source for Princess Sarvath El Hassan

{{short description|Jordanian princess}}
{{BLP sources|date=October 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}} 

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Princess Sarvath El Hassan
| image        = Pricess Sarvath El Hassan 2015 best.jpg
| caption      = Princess Sarvath in 2015 receiving an honorary doctorate
| birth_name   = Sarvath Ikramullah
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1947|7|24|df=y}}<ref name="official">{{cite web |url=http://www.elhassan.org/public/English.aspx?Lang=3&Page_Id=975&M=74 |title=:: Majlis El Hassan :: Sarvath El Hassan :: Biography |access-date=25 May 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719082204/http://www.elhassan.org/public/English.aspx?Lang=3&Page_Id=975&M=74 |archive-date=19 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elhassan.org/public/English.aspx?Lang=3&Page_Id=975&M=74 |title=:: Majlis el Hassan :: Sarvath el Hassan :: Biography |access-date=19 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719082204/http://www.elhassan.org/public/English.aspx?Lang=3&Page_Id=975&M=74 |archive-date=19 July 2011}}</ref>
| birth_place  = [[Calcutta]], [[Bengal Presidency]], [[British India]]<ref name="official" />
| death_date   = 
| death_place  = 
| burial_date  = 
| burial_place = 
| spouse       = {{marriage|[[Prince Hassan bin Talal]]|1968}}
| issue        = {{plainlist|
*[[Princess Rahma bint Hassan|Princess Rahma]]
*[[Princess Sumaya bint Hassan|Princess Sumaya]]
*[[Princess Badiya bint Hassan|Princess Badiya]]
*[[Prince Rashid bin Hassan|Prince Rashid]]
}}
| house        = [[Suhrawardiyya]] (by birth)
[[Hashemite]] (by marriage)
| father       = [[Mohammed Ikramullah]]
| mother       = [[Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah]]
}}
{{Jordanian Royal Family}}

'''Princess Sarvath El Hassan<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rhc.jo/en/media/news/statement-royal-hashemite-court-12 |title=Statement from the Royal Hashemite Court |work=The Royal Hashemite Court |date=1 June 2023 |accessdate=1 June 2023}}</ref>''' (born '''Sarvath Ikramullah''' on 24 July 1947) is a Jordanian royal and the wife of [[Prince Hassan bin Al-Talal|Prince Hassan bin Talal]] of [[Jordan]]. She was born in [[Calcutta]] on 24 July 1947,<ref name="official" /> into the [[Suhrawardy family]], a prominent [[Islam in India|Indian Muslim]] family.<ref name="official">{{cite web |url=http://www.elhassan.org/public/English.aspx?Lang=3&Page_Id=975&M=74 |title=:: Majlis El Hassan :: Sarvath El Hassan :: Biography |access-date=25 May 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719082204/http://www.elhassan.org/public/English.aspx?Lang=3&Page_Id=975&M=74 |archive-date=19 July 2011}}</ref>

== Family ==
Her father, the [[Bhopal]]-born Ambassador [[Mohammed Ikramullah]], was a senior member of the [[Indian Civil Service]] in the government of [[British India]] prior to [[Partition of India|Partition]], having joined the ICS in 1927. He went on to join the Partition Committee of [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]], later becoming [[Pakistan]]'s first Secretary of State for [[Foreign Affairs]] and Ambassador to Canada, France, [[Portugal]] and the United Kingdom. His last post was as chairman of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] Economic Committee. Sarvath's [[Bengali people|Bengali]] mother, the Kolkata-born [[Begum]] [[Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah]], was a writer and one of Pakistan's first two female members of [[Parliament of Pakistan|Parliament]]. Begum Ikramullah also served as Ambassador to [[Morocco]] and several times as a delegate to the United Nations. Princess Savrath has three siblings, including the late Bangladeshi barrister [[Salma Sobhan]] and the British-Canadian filmmaker [[Naz Ikramullah]].<ref name="official" /><ref name="arabic">[https://web.archive.org/web/20131221193117/http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/981210/1998121020.html "Princess Sarvath on the Education of Women in the Muslim World"]. ''Arabic News''. 10 December 1998.</ref>

Her paternal uncle, [[Mohammad Hidayatullah]], was Chief Justice of India from 1968 to 1970, Vice President of India from 1979 to 1984, and served as acting president of India twice.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elhassan.org/reg/sarvath/family.html |title=Family History |website=www.elhassan.org |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131225616/http://www.elhassan.org/reg/sarvath/family.html |archive-date=31 January 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Her maternal uncle, [[Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy]], was the [[Prime Minister of Bengal]] and the [[Prime Minister of Pakistan]].<ref name=Banglapedia>{{cite book |last=Harun-or-Rashid |year=2012 |chapter=Suhrawardy, Huseyn Shaheed |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Suhrawardy,_Huseyn_Shaheed |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Ahsan |first=Syed Badrul |author-link=Syed Badrul Ahsan |date=5 December 2012 |title=Suhrawardy's place in history |newspaper=The Daily Star |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-259898 |access-date=2 December 2014}}</ref> Her mother's paternal family are direct descendants of the 12th-century [[Persian people|Persian]] [[Sufism|Sufi]] philosopher, Shaikh [[Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi|Shabuddin Suhrawardy]].<ref name="arabic" /> Many of her male and female forebears, on both sides of her family, were poets, writers and academics, including the social reformer [[Begum Badar un nissa Akhtar]], [[Ibrahim Suhrawardy]] and [[Abdullah Al-Mamun Suhrawardy]].<ref name="arabic" /> She lived in all the countries that her parents were posted to, but mostly received her education in [[UK|Britain]], and received her bachelor's degree from the [[University of Cambridge]].<ref name="arabic" /> She first met Prince Hassan in London in 1958, when they were both 11 years old.<ref name="time">{{cite news |last=Beyer |first=Lisa |title=Jordan: Stepping in for the ailing King is a prince politically similar but very different in style |url=https://time.com/archive/6733730/jordan-stepping-in-for-the-ailing-king-is-a-prince-politically-similar-but-very-different-in-style/ |magazine=Time |date=12 October 1998 |access-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>

== Marriage and children ==
Princess Sarvath married [[Prince Hassan bin Talal]] of [[Jordan]] in [[Karachi]], [[Pakistan]], on 28 August 1968. They live in one of the oldest houses in [[Amman]] and have four children:<ref name="official" /><ref name="hashemites">{{cite web |url=http://www.kinghussein.gov.jo/prince_hassan.html |title=H.R.H. Prince El Hassan bin Talal |website=Kinghussein.gov.jo |access-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>
*[[Princess Rahma bint Hassan|Princess Rahma]] (born 13 August 1969)
*[[Princess Sumaya bint Hassan|Princess Sumaya]] (born 14 May 1971)
*[[Princess Badiya bint Hassan|Princess Badiya]] (born 28 March 1974)
*[[Prince Rashid bin Hassan|Prince Rashid]] (born 20 May 1979)

== Public life ==
Princess Sarvath served as Crown Princess of Jordan for over 30 years. She initiated, sponsored and continues to support many projects and activities in Jordan, mainly in the field of education, in addition to issues pertaining to women and the family, [[social welfare provision|social welfare]] and health. Much of her work focuses on promoting education, assisting disadvantaged women, encouraging [[community service]] and helping people with [[Mental illness|mental]] and [[learning disability|learning disabilities]].<ref name="official" /> In 1974, she founded the Bunayat Centre for Special Education, which teaches life skills to disabled children and provides support to their parents.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-22 |title=Prince Hassan, Princess Sarvath visit special education centre |url=https://jordantimes.com/news/local/prince-hassan-princess-sarvath-visit-special-education-centre |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=Jordan Times |language=en}}</ref>

Princess Sarvath and her husband continue to represent Jordan at international royal events. In 2013, she rode in the carriage of [[Queen Elizabeth II]] at Royal Ascot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desantis |first=Marissa |date=2020-03-30 |title=ER on speed dial: Who are the Queen's closest friends? |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/royals/queen-elizabeth-friends-a4387001.html |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref>

There have been tensions between Princess Sarvath and her sister-in-law, [[Queen Noor of Jordan|Queen Noor]]. The tensions between the Queen, who wanted her own son [[Hamzah bin Hussein|Hamzah]] to be proclaimed crown prince, and the then-Crown Princess Sarvath were exacerbated by the matter of succession during the last days of King Hussein's life.<ref name="Robins">{{cite book |last=Robins |first=Philip |title=A History of Jordan |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2004 |isbn=0-521-59895-8}}</ref><ref name="George">{{cite book |last=George |first=Alan |title=Jordan: living in the crossfire |publisher=Zed Books |year=2005 |isbn=1-84277-471-9}}</ref> According to off-the-record briefings by anonymous palace officials in Amman, a rumour was circulated that Princess Sarvath had drawn up plans for a redecoration of the Jordanian royal apartment before [[Hussein of Jordan|King Hussein]] had even died of cancer.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/276136.stm |title=Middle East &#124; Battle of the wives |publisher=BBC News |date=9 February 1999 |access-date=25 May 2017}}</ref> This allegedly occurred while the King was undergoing chemotherapy in the United States and Prince Hassan was running the country in his place.<ref name="find">{{cite web |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3724/is_199902/ai_n8834656 |title=Spectator, the: When King Hussein had a talk with Queen Victoria |website=www.findarticles.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050521073714/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3724/is_199902/ai_n8834656 |archive-date=21 May 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="new">{{cite web |url=http://www.library.cornell.edu/colldev/mideast/jork.htm |title=King Hussein of Jordan Said to Name New Heir to Throne |access-date=25 May 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050205071855/http://www.library.cornell.edu/colldev/mideast/jork.htm |archive-date=5 February 2005}}</ref> In contrast, other sources state that the Princess only gave orders for some state apartments to be spruced up in preparation to receive a foreign delegation.<ref name="find" /> Still other accounts imply that only a kitchen was renovated for the visit of Germany's then-President, [[Roman Herzog]], who was travelling with his native cook.{{Citation needed|date=July 2020}}
According to US-based newspaper ''[[Pakistan Link]]'', the theory that the Princess' Pakistani roots prevented her husband's accession has been "much publicized in Pakistan".<ref name="link">{{cite news |title=Diminutive King Hussein Leaves a Giant Mark |url=http://www.pakistanlink.com/sah/02-26-99.html |work=[[Pakistan Link]] |access-date=25 May 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220012226/http://www.pakistanlink.com/sah/02-26-99.html |archive-date=20 February 2008}}</ref>

She received an honorary degree of Doctor of Education from the [[University of Bath]] in 2015 to mark her achievements as a longstanding and influential supporter of inspiring young people.<ref>{{cite web |title=HRH Princess Sarvath in Bath |url=http://www.abs.edu.jo/index.php/en/news-events-abs/news-abs/1129-hrh-princess-sarvath-in-bath |access-date=27 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509111820/http://www.abs.edu.jo/index.php/en/news-events-abs/news-abs/1129-hrh-princess-sarvath-in-bath |archive-date=9 May 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Organizations ==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=March 2025}}
;(Former) Member:
* Council of UNESCO's International Fund for the Promotion of Culture
* Council of Foundation of the [[International Baccalaureate Organization]]
* International Board of [[Voluntary Services Overseas]]
* International Board of the [[United World Colleges]] (present)

;Patron:
* Young Muslim Women's Association since 1972
* Malath Foundation for Humanistic Care
* Jordanian Charity Association for Phenylketonuria
* Jordanian Osteoporosis Prevention Society

;Chairwoman:
* El Hassan Bin Talal Award for Academic Excellence committee
* National Selection Committee for the [[John F. Kennedy School of Government]] Middle East Educational [[scholarship|Fellowship]]

;(Vice) President:
* Jordan National Red Crescent Society – Honorary VP from 1994 to 2004
* Arab Society for Learning Difficulties – Honorary President since 2001
* Centre for [[Phonetics]] Research at the [[University of Jordan]] – President

;Founded:
* Jordanian United World Colleges National Committee; chair from 1981 to 1995
* [[Amman Baccalaureate School]]; has chaired its Board of Trustees since 1981

== Interests ==
Princess Sarvath speaks several languages, including Arabic, English, French and [[Urdu]]. The Princess is honorary president of the Jordanian Badminton Federation and was the first woman in Jordan to obtain a [[Black belt (martial arts)|black belt]] in [[Taekwondo]].<ref name="official" />

== Honours ==
=== National honours ===
* {{flag|Jordan}}: Dame Grand Cordon of the [[Supreme Order of the Renaissance]], Special Class<ref name="OrdersAndAwards">{{cite web |url=http://www.elhassanbintalal.jo/en-us/HRH-Prince-EL-Hassan-Bin-Talal/Family/HRH-Princess-Sarvath-El-Hassan |title=HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal &#124; HRH Princess Sarvath El Hassan |website=Elhassanbintalal.jo |access-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>

=== Foreign honours ===
* {{Flag|Japan}}: Dame Grand Cordon of the [[Order of the Precious Crown]]
* {{flag|Netherlands}}: Dame Grand Cross of the [[Order of Orange-Nassau]]
* {{flag|Netherlands}}: Recipient of the [[Decorations and medals of the Netherlands|King Willem-Alexander Inauguration Medal]]
* {{flag|Pakistan}}: Grand Cross of the [[Hilal-i-Imtiaz|Order of the Crescent of Excellence]]<ref name="OrdersAndAwards" />
* {{flag|Sweden}}: Member Grand Cross of the [[Royal Order of the Polar Star]]
* {{flag|Sweden}}: Recipient of the [[Swedish Royal Jubilee Commemorative Medals|70th Birthday Badge Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf]]

=== Awards ===
* {{flagicon|Switzerland}}{{flagicon|Ottoman Empire}} [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement]]: Recipient of the 'Abu Bakr Al Sadik Medal'<ref name="OrdersAndAwards" />

==== Foreign awards ====
* {{flag|Canada}}: Honorary Degree of [[Doctor of Laws]] of the [[University of New Brunswick]]<ref name="OrdersAndAwards" />
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}: Honorary Degree of the [[University of Bath]]<ref name="OrdersAndAwards" />

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100123044900/http://www.indusearth.org/main.htm Indus Earth: H.R.H. Princess Sarvath El Hassan {{!}} Patron]}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110726064843/http://www.thecitizensfoundation.org/eventDetail.aspx?id=87 The Citizens Foundation: Princess Sarvath El Hassan Visits TCF School]
* [http://www.nchd.org.pk/ws/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23%3Aphdf&catid=11%3Aphdf&Itemid=34 The National Commission for Human Development: The Pakistan Human Development Fund (PHDF) | Patrons]

{{Jordanian princesses}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sarvath, Princess}}
[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Cambridge]]
[[Category:Pakistani women philanthropists]]
[[Category:House of Hashim]]
[[Category:Pakistani emigrants to Jordan]]
[[Category:Pakistani female taekwondo practitioners]]
[[Category:Jordanian Muslims]]
[[Category:Pakistani Muslims]]
[[Category:Bengali Muslims]]
[[Category:Karachi Grammar School alumni]]
[[Category:People from Kolkata]]
[[Category:21st-century Bengalis]]
[[Category:20th-century Bengalis]]
[[Category:Jordanian female taekwondo practitioners]]
[[Category:Jordanian princesses by marriage]]
[[Category:Jordanian people of Bengali descent]]
[[Category:People from Lahore]]
[[Category:People educated at Channing School]]
[[Category:Crown princesses]]
[[Category:Recipients of Supreme Order of the Renaissance (Jordan)]]
[[Category:Grand Cordons of the Order of the Precious Crown]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau]]
[[Category:Recipients of Hilal-i-Imtiaz]]
[[Category:Commanders Grand Cross of the Order of the Polar Star]]