LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP

The two recent images are opposites. They represent the two intersecting narratives about the state of Morocco's monarchy. The first scene took place on June 7 during the Eid al-Adha ("Festival of Sacrifice") prayer at the mosque in Tétouan, in northern Morocco. Wearing a pastel yellow djellaba and a garnet fez hat, King Mohammed VI sat on a leather-upholstered stool. His face betrayed signs of fatigue while those around him praised Allah in prostration. The image of the 62-year-old monarch, alone in his feeble stillness among a congregation kneeling, a gesture he could no longer accomplish, intensified the already profound concern for his health.

More than two weeks later, the narrative underwent a radical reversal. A video posted on social media showed Mohammed VI in a swimsuit straddling a jet ski off the coast of Cabo Negro, a seaside resort near Tétouan. He was surrounded by a swarm of escort boats carrying his bodyguards. The king timidly raised a hand to his compatriots cheering him on from the shore. Although his demeanor remained reserved, a monarch who can pilot such a machine on his own could hardly be considered unwell. Suddenly, the unease sparked by the previous scene faded away.

The dual choreography perfectly encapsulates the transition process Morocco is undergoing. The king has become physically frail, as confirmed by other photos, such as from when he welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to Rabat at the end of October 2024, appearing thin and holding a cane. However, his weakening should be seen as dramatic or at risk of undermining his composure as leader of the kingdom, according to the carefully crafted and widely circulated official messaging.

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