Princess Lalla Latifa, the mother of the King of Morocco, has died. She was 78.
The royal palace announced the news on Saturday evening.
Princess Lalla was the widow of King Hassan II and the mother of reigning King Mohammed VI.
"As we mourn this painful loss, we ask the Almighty God to shower the deceased with his infinite mercy and grant her paradise, and to prolong the life of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God preserve him and perpetuate his glory," the royal palace statement said.
"To Allah we belong and to him we will return.”
President Sheikh Mohamed sent a message of "condolences and sympathy" to King Mohammed following the announcement.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, sent similar messages to the Moroccan king.
The rulers of the Emirates have sent separate condolence messages including Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah; Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
Their crown princes and deputy rulers also sent similar cables to the Moroccan king.
Princess Lalla belonged to the prominent Amahzoune family, which is part of the Zayane tribe.
King Hassan, whom she married in 1961, died in 1999.
She had five children: Princess Lalla Meryem, King Mohammed VI, Princess Lalla Asma, Princess Lalla Hasna, and Prince Moulay Rachid.
