King of Bahrain

King of Bahrain ملك البحرين Malik al-Baḥrayn
Monarchy
Arms of His Majesty the King of Bahrain
Incumbent: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa since 6 March 1999 as Emir since 14 February 2002 as King
Style:	His Majesty
Heir apparent:	Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
First monarch:	Ahmed bin Muhammad bin Khalifa (Hakim) Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah (King)
Formation:	1783 (Hakimmiyah) 16 August 1971 (Emirate) 14 February 2002 (Kingdom)
Residence:	Riffa Palace

Bahrain

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Bahrain

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The King of Bahrain (Arabic: ملك البحرين‎)‎ is the monarch and head of state of Bahrain. Between 1783 and 1971, the Bahraini monarch held the title of Hakim, and, from 1971 until 2002, the title of Emir. On 14 February 2002, the then-Emir of Bahrain, Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa, declared Bahrain a kingdom and proclaimed himself the first king.

List of monarchs

Hakims of Bahrain (1783–1971)

The Arabic title of the Hakim, as transliterated, was Hakim al-Bahrayn (English: Lord of Bahrain). The Hakim also held the honorific title of sheikh.

Name	Reign		Remarks
	From	Until
Sheikh Ahmed ibn Muhammad ibn Khalifa	1783	1796
Sheikh Abdullah ibn Ahmad Al Khalifa	1796	1843	As co-regent
Sheikh Sulman ibn Ahmad Al Khalifa	1796	1825	As co-regent with Abdullah ibn Ahmad Al Khalifa
Sheikh Khalifah ibn Sulman Al Khalifa	1825	1834	As co-regent with Abdullah ibn Ahmad Al Khalifa
Sheikh Muhammad ibn Khalifah Al Khalifa	1834	1842	First reign as co-regent with Abdullah ibn Ahmad Al Khalifa
Sheikh Muhammad ibn Khalifah Al Khalifa	1843	1868	Second reign
Sheikh Ali ibn Khalifah Al Khalifa	1868	1869
Sheikh Muhammad ibn Khalifah Al Khalifa	1869	1869	Third reign
Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abdullah Al Khalifa	September 1869	1 December 1869
HH Sheikh Isa ibn Ali Al Khalifa	December 1869	9 December 1932
HH Sheikh Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa	10 December 1932	20 February 1942
HH Sheikh Salman ibn Hamad Al Khalifa	20 February 1942	2 November 1961
HH Sheikh Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifa	2 November 1961	16 August 1971	Proclaimed himself Emir

Emirs of Bahrain (1971–2002)

The Arabic title of the Emir, as transliterated, was Amir dawlat al-Bahrayn (English: Prince of the State of Bahrain). The Emir also held the honorific title of sheikh.

Name	Image	Reign		Remarks
		From	Until
HH Sheikh Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifa		16 August 1971	6 March 1999	Previously ruled as Sheikh
HH Sheikh Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa		6 March 1999	14 February 2002	Proclaimed himself King

King of Bahrain (2002–Present)

The Arabic title of the King, as transliterated, is Malik al-Bahrayn (English: King of Bahrain). The King also holds the honorific title of sheikh.

Name	Image	Reign		Remarks
		From	Until
HM Sheikh Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa		14 October 2002	Present	Previously ruled as Emir

See also

• House of Khalifa
• Line of succession to the Bahraini throne
• 2011 Bahraini uprising