Toni Avril Gardiner arrived in Jordan in 1961 to become the second wife of King Hussein, marking a transition from her early life in England and Malaya to the center of the Jordanian royal household. Throughout her tenure as consort, she navigated complex political landscapes while balancing her public duties with the upbringing of their four children.
Early Life and Education
Born on 25 April 1941 in Chelmondiston, Suffolk, she was the daughter of Doris Elizabeth Sutton and Lieutenant Colonel Walter Percy Gardiner. Her father, a British Army officer who served in the Royal Engineers, moved the family as his postings required. Gardiner attended the Bourne School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, an institution managed by the British Families Education Service for children of overseas personnel. During her time there, she was an A-grade field hockey player.
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Take the IQ test →Marriage into the Jordanian Royal Family
Gardiner met King Hussein while working as a secretarial assistant on the set of the film Lawrence of Arabia. Reports suggest the encounter occurred while troops participated as extras or through her father's role as a military adviser. She married the King in Amman on 25 May 1961, assuming the name Muna Al Hussein. Due to government disapproval regarding her foreign origin, she was not granted the title of queen. The couple had four children: Abdullah, born in 1962, followed by Faisal in 1963, and twins Aisha and Zein in 1968. The marriage ended in divorce on 21 December 1972, at which time she was granted custody of their children and residency at Humar Palace in Al-Hummar.
Public Advocacy and Nursing Initiatives
Following her marriage, she focused on the advancement of healthcare, specifically nursing in Jordan. She founded the Princess Muna College of Nursing in 1962, which has since evolved into the Princess Muna College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions. Her commitment to the field extended to establishing the Princess Muna Scholarship Fund for Nursing. In 2020, she addressed the 73rd World Health Assembly, highlighting the contributions of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasizing that professional support requires tangible action rather than mere recognition.
Honours and International Recognition
Her contributions have been recognized with numerous international and national decorations. These include the Grand Cordon with Collar of the Order of al-Hussein bin Ali and the Grand Cordon with Brilliants of the Supreme Order of the Renaissance. Foreign honors include the Grand Cross of the Order of Beneficence, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Romania, and the Order of the Republic of Tunisia. In 2017, she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Sibiu and also holds an honorary doctorate from the Polytechnic University of Valencia.
Fast facts
- Born: 25 April 1941, Chelmondiston, England
- First Marriage: 25 May 1961, Amman, Jordan
- Divorce Date: 21 December 1972
- Son: Abdullah II of Jordan
- Education: Bourne School, Kuala Lumpur
- Founding: Princess Muna College of Nursing, 1962
- Citizenship: United Kingdom, Jordan
Questions readers ask
Did Princess Muna Al Hussein retain her royal status after the divorce?
She is a member of the Jordanian Royal Family and continues to live and work in Jordan.
What is the origin of the Princess Muna College of Nursing?
It was established by the Princess in 1962 to support and develop the nursing profession in Jordan.
