QATAR
The Al-Thani Dynasty
BRIEF HISTORY
The ruling family of Qatar are of Tammin descent, who originated from Central Arabia about the year 1750 AD. They gained control of Doha sometime during the middle of the nineteenth century. Control over Qatar was recognised by a treaty negotiated by the British and concluded on 12th September 1868. The sheikhdom acquired its wealth from trading and the very lucrative pearl fisheries. Turkey unsuccessfully attempted to impose a certain degree of control between 1871 and 1913. British Protection was extended by a treaty dated 3rd November 1916 and full independence recognised on 3rd September 1971.
STYLES & TITLES:
The Sovereign: Shaikh (personal name) bin (father's name) Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, with the style of His Highness.
The consort of the ruler: (personal name) bint (father's name and surname), with the style of Her Highness.
The Heir Apparent: Shaikh (personal name) bin (father's name) Al-Thani, Crown Prince of the State of Qatar, with the style of His Highness.
The other sons of the ruler: Shaikh (personal name) bin (father's name) Al-Thani, with the style of His Excellency.
The daughters of the ruler: Shaikha (personal name) bint (father's name) Al-Thani, with the style of Her Excellency.
Other male descendants of rulers, in the male line: Shaikh (personal name) bin (father's name) Al-Thani.
Other female descendants of rulers, in the male line: Shaikha (personal name) bint (father's name) Al-Thani.
Note: some members of the ruling family also use the name of their grandfather or the progenitor of their particular branch of the family as a distinguishing name, e.g. Shaikh (personal name) bin (father's name) bin (grandfather's name) Al-Thani, or Shaikh (personal name) bin (father's name) al-Fulan Al-Thani.
RULES OF SUCCESSION:
Nomination by the reigning Head of State.
ORDERS & DECORATIONS:
See separate page - link below.
SOURCES:
Amiri Diwan - State of Qatar http://www.diwan.gov.qa/english/main_page_english.php
Burke's Royal Families of the World. Volume II: Africa & The Middle East. Burke's Publications Ltd., London, 1980.
A. de L. Rush (ed.), Ruling Families of Arabia. Volume 8: Family Trees. Archive Editions, Archive International Group, Melksham, Oxon. 1991.
A.de L. Rush (ed.), Ruling Families of Arabia. Qatar: The Ruling Family of Al-Thani. Archive Editions, Archive International Group, Melksham, Oxon. 1991.
Rosemarie Said Zahlan, The Creation of Qatar, Croom Helm, London 1979.
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
Dr. Morris L. Bierbrier, FSA.
Torkel Nybakk Kvaal.
Copyright©Christopher Buyers, May 2002 - July 2008