The King Of Bahrain's Canine Companion

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has been the King of Bahrain since 2002, when he declared the country a kingdom and proclaimed himself king. The House of Khalifa has been the ruling family since 1783, and the current king's reign has been marked by political reform and civil unrest. The King's personal life, including whether or not he owns a dog, is not easily accessible information.

The King of Bahrain's powers

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is the King of Bahrain and has been since 14 February 2002. He is the head of state and enjoys wide-ranging powers, including:

• Appointing the Prime Minister and the Cabinet
• Holding supreme command over the Defence Force
• Chairing the Higher Judicial Council
• Appointing the upper house of Parliament
• Dissolving the elected lower house of Parliament

The King's relationship with the UK

The Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom have a long history of diplomatic, political, military, and economic ties. The two nations first signed a Treaty of Friendship in 1816, and the UK recognised the ruling House of Khalifa as the "legitimate" leaders of Bahrain. The UK also provided maritime protection to Bahrain in the 19th century, and the two nations have continued to strengthen their military ties over the years. In 2012, they signed a defence cooperation agreement to promote intelligence sharing, military training, and scientific and technical cooperation.

Bahrain gained independence from the UK in 1971, but the two countries have maintained strong relations since then. The UK is one of only four European countries with an embassy in Manama, and there is a large community of British expatriates in Bahrain. In 2005, the UK and Bahrain released a joint statement affirming the "strong, warm and longstanding relationship" between the two nations.

The relationship between the two countries has been the source of some controversy and public criticism, particularly regarding Bahrain's treatment of protesters during the 2011 Arab Spring. However, the UK and Bahrain have continued to work together to strengthen their ties. In 2016, they marked the 200th anniversary of their relationship, and the UK's HMS Juffair Naval Base was opened in Bahrain later that year.

The UK and Bahrain have also collaborated in the fields of education and culture. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the current King of Bahrain, received part of his education in the UK, attending Applegarth College in Godalming, Surrey, and The Leys School in Cambridge. In 2024, King Hamad visited the UK to mark his Silver Jubilee, and he was welcomed by King Charles III at Windsor Castle.

The King's family

The current king of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has been the head of the House of Khalifa—the ruling family of Bahrain—since 2002. He has three wives and twelve children: seven sons and five daughters.

Hamad's first wife, Sheikha Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, is his first cousin, and they have four children:

• Sheikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain (born 21 October 1969)
• Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (born 30 June 1975)
• Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Khalifa (born 4 June 1977)
• Sheikha Najla bint Hamad Al Khalifa (born 20 May 1981)

His second wife, Sheikha Sheia bint Hassan Al Khrayyesh Al Ajmi, is from Kuwait, and they have two sons:

• Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa (born 8 May 1987)
• Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa (born 23 September 1989)

Hamad's third wife, Sheikha Hessa bint Faisal bin Muhammad bin Shuraim Al Marri, has three children with him:

• Sheikha Munira bint Hamad Al Khalifa (born 15 July 1990)
• Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad Al Khalifa (12 February 1991 – 12 January 2006), who died in a car accident
• Sheikha Noura bint Hamad Al Khalifa (born 6 November 1993)

The king's fourth wife, Sheikha Manal bint Jabor Al Naimi, has three children:

• Sheikh Sultan bin Hamad Al Khalifa (born 1997)
• Sheikha Hessa bint Hamad Al Khalifa (born 2000)
• Sheikha Rima bint Hamad Al Khalifa (born 2002)

Hamad's son, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, is the Prime Minister of Bahrain and the Crown Prince. Salman bin Hamad is the heir apparent and will follow his father as ruler, unless the king appoints another of his sons as successor.

The King's pets

The current King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has had a number of pets throughout his life, owing to his love for animals.

Dogs

The King owns several dogs, which he keeps at his royal residences in Bahrain and the United Kingdom. He is often seen walking his dogs in the grounds of his palaces and is known to be a great lover of animals. The exact number of dogs he owns is not known, but it is believed to be a sizable pack.

Horses

In addition to his canine companions, the King is also an avid equestrian and has a number of horses. He has been seen riding horses on several occasions, both during his personal time and while taking part in official ceremonies and events. It is believed that he keeps his horses at the royal stables in Bahrain, where they are cared for by a dedicated team of grooms and veterinarians.

Birds

The King also has a fondness for birds and is known to own several parrots and falcons, which are kept in aviaries at his royal residences. He has been seen interacting with his birds and even taking them out for walks around the palace grounds on occasion.

Fish

Lastly, the King is said to have a large aquarium at one of his residences, containing a variety of tropical fish and other aquatic creatures. He is known to find the aquarium relaxing and often spends time watching the fish swim and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere it creates.

The King's love for animals is well-known, and he has been seen interacting with a variety of creatures, from dogs and cats to more exotic species. He is said to be a kind and compassionate ruler, and his love for animals is just one aspect of his reign, which has spanned several decades.

The King's response to the 2011 protests

On 14 February 2011, thousands of protesters gathered in Manama to demand government reforms. The day was billed as a "Day of Rage" and followed mass demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt. The protesters were mainly Shiites, who have long been the majority in the island nation but felt ignored by the minority Sunni government.

The King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, responded to the protests by allowing the demonstrators to fill the Pearl Roundabout, a major landmark in the capital of Manama. However, the government soon began using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protests.

On 15 February 2011, King Hamad appeared on television to express his regret about the deaths of two protesters and called for an investigation. He also told the police to allow thousands of protesters into Pearl Roundabout.

On 17 February, police arrived early in the morning to disperse a tent settlement in Pearl Roundabout, killing four protesters. Protesters regrouped around Salmaniyah Hospital, another rallying point for the demonstrators. Tanks and armed personnel carriers parked at central Manama intersections.

On 21 February, tens of thousands of people rallied at a main mosque to support the regime. The King also announced that he would release an unspecified number of political prisoners.

On 25 February, three cabinet ministers were fired, apparently to pacify the protesters.

On 26 February, exiled Shiite opposition figure Hassan Mushaima returned from London and addressed hundreds of thousands of protesters, telling them to continue until the revolution was successful.

On 1 March, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) announced that it would send troops, mainly from Saudi Arabia, to help contain the unrest.

On 14 March, King Hamad announced martial law. Government troops surrounded Shiite neighbourhoods and forcibly emptied Pearl Roundabout with tanks and machine guns. They also occupied Salmaniyah Hospital, arresting protest leaders. The crackdown continued from mid-March until 1 June, when martial law was lifted.

In November 2011, an independent commission convened by the king concluded that government forces had used "excessive force" and torture to control the protest movement.

In response to the findings, the King established the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), headed by respected human rights lawyer M. Cherif Bassiouni, to look into the events surrounding the unrest. The BICI reported its findings in November 2011, and the establishment of the commission was praised by the international community as a step towards accountability.

In June 2013, the King appointed his son, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, as deputy prime minister. The appointment of the prince, widely viewed as a moderate, was seen as a potential step towards reconciliation.

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