Salman bin Hamad, Crown Prince of Bahrain

Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (born 21 October 1969) has been the Crown Prince of Bahrain since 1999, and the Prime Minister of Bahrain since 2020. He previously served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force from 1999 to 2008.

Early life and education Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was born on 21 October 1969, as the eldest son of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Princess Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. After Hamad became Emir of Bahrain Salman was sworn in as crown prince on 9 March 1999.

Salman was educated in Bahrain, and graduated from American University with a bachelor of arts in public administration in 1992, and the University of Cambridge with a master's degree in philosophy and history in 1994.

Career At the Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research Salman was appointed vice-chair of the board of trustees in 1992, and then served as chair from 1995 to 1999. He was appointed chair of the Bahrain Economic Development Board on 3 March 2002, and was in charge of developing Bahrain's economy. He was appointed chair of the Supreme Committee for Natural Resources and Economic Security on 15 July 2013, and worked to increase Bahrain's exploration of oil.

Salman became Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force on 22 March 1999, and held the position until his appointment as Deputy Supreme Commander on the Armed Forces on 6 January 2008.

During the 2011 Bahraini uprising, Salman was empowered by Hamad to lead the government's negotiations with Al-Wefaq, the main opposition group, in February 2011. Progress was made towards a plan for political reform, but it was opposed by his uncle, Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. The Gulf Cooperation Council sent troops into Bahrain against uprising in March 2011, at the formal request of Hamad.

Hamad appointed Salman as First Deputy Prime Minister in March 2013. On 11 November 2020, he was appointed as Prime Minister of Bahrain, after death of Khalifa bin Salman. He attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

Political views Salman is known as a reformist. During the 2011 uprising, he proposed and led the negotiations with the opposition, with the support of King Hamad.

Personal life Salman married Hala bint D'aij Al Khalifa, with whom he had four children before their divorce and her death on 10 June 2018. He can speak Arabic and English.

Honours and awards Salman has been awarded a number of honors, including: An honorary doctorate in conjunction with the Order of the Eagle Exemplar by the United States Sports Academy (USSA). Bahrain: Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (Wisam al-Shaikh 'Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa), First Class Bahrain: Order of Ahmad the Conqueror (Wisam Ahmad al-Fateh), First Class Bahrain: King Hamad Order of the Renaissance, First Class Bahrain: Order of Bahrain (Wisam al-Bahrein), First Class Bahrain: Hawar Medal (Wisam al-Hawar), First Class Jordan: Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Renaissance (Wisam al-Nahda) Kuwait: Order of the Liberation (Wisam al-Tahrir), First Class UAE: Collar of the Order of Etihad USA: Golden Plate Award, American Academy of Achievement

Ancestry