Blessed Day

"Walad! Walad! [It's a boy]," cried one of the palace physicians in triumph. King Farouk, who had sat sleepless all night in the next room, entered his wife's bedchamber with tears in his eyes, took his blond newborn son in his arms and kissed him. "Thanks, Pasha," the King told Obstetrician Ibrahim Magdi Bey, his words automatically bestowing a title on the lucky doctor. Then, reverently, he kissed his 18-year-old Queen Narriman on the brow and left the room.

Joyous Boom. Too excited to stand on ceremony, Egypt's King picked up a telephone himself to break the good news to the Prime Minister. "On this blessed day," proclaimed the national radio a few minutes later, "when the sun of smiling hope arose and the most shining diamond in the Crown of the Nile Valley lighted, the Royal Cabinet announces the birth of Prince Ahmed Fuad . . ."

Little (7 Ibs. 7 oz.) Fuad, heir not only to the throne of Egypt, but to a private fortune of some $70 million, was promptly created Prince of Upper Egypt, Farouk's own title before he became King. Since Fuad I, crowned in 1923, all children born to the dynasty have been given names beginning with F, which is considered lucky.* The palace decreed a two-day holiday to celebrate his arrival. For every boy born in Egypt on the same day there was a gift of -L-15. "I want to do something," said King Farouk, "to express my gratitude to God. All I can do is to open my heart to all people, and to forgive anybody who has hurt me . . ." Equally forgiving was Farouk's ex-Queen Farida, summarily divorced in 1948 because she had borne him no sons. She sent a message to her ex-husband"Am very happy that your dearest wish is now realized."

Angry Boom. Despite the brief pause for refreshments, Egypt's unforgiving nationalists continued their fight with Britain. At the northern end of the Suez Canal Zone, Prince Fuad's royal salutes were echoed in the rattle of gunfire at Port Said, during a four-hour clash between Britons and guerrillas. In Cairo and Zagazig, the funerals of six Egyptians killed in a clash at Tell el-Kebir led to further rioting. Mourners charged on nightclubs and movie houses like so many Carry Nations, demanding a cessation of frivolity out of respect to the dead.

Egypt's government, which alternately stirs and quells fanatic nationalism, sent cops to restore order at the nightspots. Prince Fuad would need the lucky Fs of Fate and Fortune on his side if his country were to avoid a disastrous Foul-Up before he became a man.

-Fuad I sired Farouk, Fawzia, Faiza, Faika and Fathia. Farouk's three daughters (by wife No. i) are Ferial, Fawzia and Fadia.

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