King Muhammad Fareed Didi (1901-1969), the son of the Sultan Prince Abdul Majeed Didi (Al Munthakhab Liarshi Dhaulathil Mahaldheebiyya). Muhammed Fareed Didi was the last Sultan of Maldives and the first Maldivian Monarch to assume the title of "King" with the style of "Your Majesty". He was the Sultan of Maldives from March 7 1954 until November 11 1968. He was deposed in 1968 from the throne when Maldives became a republic, and died the following year.

Early years

He studied at the prestigious Royal College Colombo in Ceylon. After spending 7 years in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), he came back and became the prime minister of Sultan Hassan Nooraddine II on December 16 1932.

Reign

After the fall of President Mohamed Amin Didi a referendum was held and 98% of the people voted in favor of the monarchy and the country was again declared a Sultanate. And so a new peoples majilis was elected as the former peoples majilis was dissolved after the revolution.The members of the special majilis decided to take a secret vote to elect a sultan and Prince Mohammed Fareed Didi was elected as the 84th Sultan in 1954. His first Prime minister was Ehgamugey Ibraahim Ali Didi (later Ibraahim Faamuladheyri Kilegefaan). On December 11 1957, the prime minister was forced to resign and Velaanagey Ibraahim Nasir was elected as the new prime minister the following day.

On November 15 1967 a vote was taken in parliament to decide whether Maldives should have a monarchy or a republic. Of the 44 parliamentarians, 40 voted in favor of a republic. On March 15 1968, a referendum was held on and 93.34% of the people voted in favor of establishing a republic. The republic was declared on November 11 1968 and thus ending the 853 year old Monarchy.

Post-deposition & death

After his deposition from the throne, the King left the royal palace and retired to his own residence (Maabagychaage, now the parliament house) in Henveru ward. He died on May 27 1969 in Malé. He was given a state funeral and was buried in the Galolhu Cemetery.

References

1. Maldive students at Royal College Colombo 1920s