Mohammed VI, a vague presence and overly visible companion

For several days, Moroccan social networks have been flooded with new photos of King Mohammed VI on vacation in the coastal town of Midique in northern Morocco. However, these photos and videos, which purport to provide a rare insight into the monarch’s private life, raise more questions than they provide answers. In fact, unlike mixed martial arts fighter Youssef Kaddour, the monarch is barely visible there.

Unlike the usual coronation headshots that appear in the media, recent photos of King Mohammed VI are noticeably blurry and of poor quality. We can barely see the king there, and we have more to speculate about him than if we saw him strolling through the streets of Midik in a luxurious Mercedes convertible. This visual opacity is in stark contrast to the recent video of his ex-wife, the princess. Lalla Salma and their son Crown Prince Moulay Hassanduring their vacation in Greece. The latter appears legible and roams freely on the streets, giving it an image of transparency and accessibility.

This apparent discrepancy raises questions. Why did the palace allow these poor-quality images to be broadcast, while no clear photos or videos of the king were released for months? This communication strategy, if any, seems paradoxical: showing without actually revealing. But this real/fake public appearance of the king in real life has sparked speculation. The monarch’s health And the reasons for this visual judgment.

Unexpected travel companions

Another interesting element of these royal appearances is the continued presence of Yusef Kaddur, a mixed martial arts fighter from Melilla. Kaddur, seen from the back seat of the royal vehicle, seems to be growing closer to the king, and this relationship did not start yesterday. In fact, he has been seen with Mohammed VI during his time. Celebrating the Moroccan national team’s victory over Spain During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The relationship has raised questions about the exact nature of Catur’s role with the king. Was he a simple friend, as some Spanish media have suggested, or did he perform a more official function, such as a bodyguard? The mixed martial arts fighter’s frequent appearances with the monarch mark a notable change in the royal entourage, which has traditionally been made up of political advisers and family members.

This connection with the world of MMA is reminiscent of the king’s ties with the Azaitar family, whose brothers are also MMA fighters and have benefited from the royal family’s kindness in recent years. Close contact with these fighters is not without its problems. Even major international media like The Economist published an article on the growing influence of the Azaitar family Mohammed VI.

Between the desire for media exposure and maintaining mystery, between monarchical traditions and new acquaintances, the King of Morocco continues to fascinate and intrigue, keeping the public and observers in suspense about his true intentions and the reality of his situation.