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Royal Families · Bahrain
The Al Khalifa family has led Bahrain since 1783, and Bahrain's royal family has guided the island kingdom from a pearling center to a modern financial hub; their story adds depth to any Bahrain luxury travel plan.
At a glance
Ahmed Al Fateh
The Al Khalifa belong to the Bani Utub, the same tribal confederation as Kuwait's Al Sabah. After settling at Zubarah on the Qatar peninsula, the family established its rule over Bahrain in 1783 under Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, honored as Ahmed Al Fateh. His name lives on in the Al Fateh Grand Mosque in Manama, one of the largest mosques in the world and open to visitors of all faiths outside prayer times.
Bahrain itself is far older than the dynasty. It was the heart of the ancient Dilmun civilization, and Qal'at al-Bahrain, the Bahrain Fort, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site layered with four thousand years of history. Learn more in Bahrain's history and culture.
Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa ruled for more than six decades, from 1869 to 1932, through the height of the pearling era, when Bahrain's pearls were prized in Paris, Bombay and New York. His family home in Muharraq is one of the finest examples of traditional Gulf architecture. The pearling story is told in our feature on pearling in the Gulf.
In 1932 Bahrain became the first place on the Arab side of the Gulf to strike oil. Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who ruled from 1961 to 1999, led the country to independence in 1971 and invested in education, health and infrastructure, including the causeway to Saudi Arabia opened in 1986.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa became Ruler on 6 March 1999 and King on 14 February 2002, when Bahrain became a constitutional kingdom with an elected Council of Representatives. His reign has seen Bahrain grow as a center for banking, fintech, tourism and motorsport. In 2004 the Bahrain Grand Prix became the first Formula 1 race in the Middle East; see Formula 1 in the Middle East. The year 2026 has been named the Year of Isa Al Kabeer, in honor of Shaikh Isa bin Ali.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa has been Crown Prince since 1999 and Prime Minister since November 2020. He is closely associated with the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and with Bahrain's openness to international business.
Members of the royal
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa is a leading figure in Bahraini sport, including endurance riding and the Olympic movement. Her Excellency Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, a long-time champion of culture and heritage, led the work that brought the Pearling Path in Muharraq onto the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012.
The King is His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The heir is His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Bahrain spells the family title Shaikh and Shaikha, and that spelling is correct in writing about Bahrain. National Day is celebrated on 16 December.
Places that reflect the Al Khalifa story on a Bahrain luxury travel itinerary.
Named for the dynasty's founder, with guided visits for non-Muslim guests outside prayer times.
The 19th-century family residence of the great pearling-era ruler, with wind towers and carved courtyards.
A UNESCO-listed trail of merchants' houses, restored with the support of Shaikha Mai's cultural program.
The UNESCO-listed fort and Dilmun-era site, beautiful at sunset.
The kingdom's story from Dilmun to the present, on the waterfront.
Begin with our Bahrain luxury travel guide and our pick of luxury hotels in Manama, and compare the region's royal houses on royal families of the Middle East.
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