Title: Farewell to Princess Majda Ra’ad: A Life Transformed from Sweden to Jordan’s Royal Court
Princess Majda Ra’ad of Jordan has passed away at the age of 82, as reported by Swedish tabloid Expressen. Born Margareta Lind in Södertälje, Sweden, the princess led a remarkable life that spanned continents and cultures.
Majda Ra’ad was born into a humble Swedish family, far removed from the opulence of royal palaces. Her journey began to shift when she embarked on a language course in London, where she crossed paths with her future husband, Prince Ra’ad bin Zeid. The couple tied the knot in 1963, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Margareta, who assumed the title of Princess of Jordan and embraced the Islamic faith, adopting the name Majda.
The newlyweds settled in Amman, where Majda Ra’ad spent the rest of her life as a beloved member of Jordan’s royal family. In a statement, the Jordanian palace extended its condolences, "H.R.H. Princess Majda Ra’ad, wife of H.R.H. Prince Ra’ad bin Zeid, passed away peacefully in Amman on Friday, 3 January 2025."
Despite her transformation, the Swedish roots of Princess Majda Ra’ad remained deep. In an interview with Swedish magazine Svensk Dam in 2019, she revealed that her Swedish friends still affectionately referred to her as ‘Maggan’, a nickname derived from her given name, Margaretha. "I usually visit Sweden a few times a year, and during those visits, I’m Maggan all the way," she fondly recalled.
Princess Majda Ra’ad leaves behind a legacy that transcends borders, a testament to her adaptability and resilience in the face of extraordinary change. As tributes pour in from around the world, one thing is certain: a piece of both Sweden and Jordan is a little emptier with her passing.
Image credit: Dagbladet.no
