Queen Soraya

of Afghanistan

Queen Soraya was born in Damascus in 1899 and was the third child of Mahmud TARZI, the well known and respected Afghan intellectual and poet; also known as the father of Afghan journalism. In 1915 Soraya married the Afghan King Amir Habibullah Khan’s son Amanullah. The young couple were crowned in 1919 and reigned until 1929. After taking total independence in 1923, the royal couple worked together to build a modern country. The Queen dedicated herself to the emancipation of women and served her country as an advocate for Women’s Rights.  Both reformists, they established succesful foreign relations along with trips around the world.

Inspired from the Royal Cruises of the family which date back to early 1928 starting with Egypt, there are so many influencing stories to share which create the fundamentals of Idil’s design concept. The Royal Couple met with the first King of Egypt; Ahmad Fuad Pasha in Cairo. The Queen gave a Christmas tree and presented children with toys and sweets. Aida Opera was exclusively performed on the river Nile in their honour. They were guests of honor of Pope Pius XI in the Vatican City. Being greeted by King Victor Emmanuel III and Queen Elena, an Italian parade of Naval Military and Air Force was held. The French President Gaston Doumergue welcomed the dream couple at Bois de Boulogne station in Paris after their visit to Nice. An elegant welcome in Belgium by King Albert I ve Queen Elisabeth remain as one of the remarkable memories. President Hindenburg in Berlin hosted a ceremonial drive.

The Queen and The King’s arrival to London Victoria was embraced by Queen Mary and King George V with a parade to Buckingham Palace. During King Amanullah Han’s visit to the Port of London Authority steam yacht St Katherine, the ships were dressed in his respect and the dockside was decorated with flags.. The King and The Queen also visited Oxford University and  were welcomed at the gate of All Souls by the Vice-Chancellor and High Steward of the University of Oxford and the two Members of Parliament. The King put on the crimson Doctor of Civil Law robes and moved in a procession to the Sheldonian Theatre to be admitted to the degree which was handed with Persian translations. They were invited to a visit to the Rolls-Royce Motor Works, an introduction of pleasure to armoured cars. Their trip to Turkey was hosted by the Founder of Turkish Republic Ataturk in Ankara honored with an evening banquet.