King Abdullah II was born to the late King Hussein and his second wife, British-born Princess Muna, on January 30, 1962. He was educated in Great Britain and the United States, receiving an extensive military education at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the U.K. (think West Point) and a year of study in international politics and world affairs at Oxford University. While it sounds like an education fit for a future king, Abdullah completed his course of study without that role in mind. Unlike the British monarchy where the line of succession is basically set in stone, Jordan's heirs aren't chosen solely on birth order. A new heir to the throne can be declared on the whim of the current monarch, which is exactly what happened in Abdullah's case.

Just one month before King Hussein's death, he named Abdullah Crown Prince (heir to the throne). Until then, Hussein's brother Hassan was next in line and more than ready to assume the role of king. The change was a bit of shock to Jordanians and rather scandalous — King Hussein made a point of expressing his displeasure with his brother's performance while Hussein was in the U.S. receiving cancer treatment. Because of his extensive military training, Abdullah expected to become Commander of Jordan's armed forces and lead the life of an executive soldier. Likewise, Rania never expected to become Queen when she married him in 1993. Now they are adapting to their new roles together, roles they never expected to face when they began their courtship a little over seven years ago.

Before he met Rania, Abdullah had a reputation as a real "ladies' man." As a general in Jordan's army, he relished jumping out of planes, flying helicopters and driving fast cars. She, on the other hand, was quieter, bookish, and the kind of career-driven woman not easily seduced by "princely" machismo.

The couple was introduced by mutual friends at an Amman party in January 1993 and sparks flew. Early in their relationship, Rania and Abdullah were spotted roaring around the desert on his motorcycle and waterskiing on the Red Sea. He seemed to bring her out of his shell and she seemed to tame his wild ways. In a recent interview with 60 Minutes, she said she was attracted to her husband's sense of humor and his lack of pretension despite his royal position. Only six months after that first meeting, they were married on June 10, 1993, in a glittering wedding ceremony that included royalty from around the world.

Today, the couple has two children — six-year-old Hussein and four-year-old Iman, and they're expecting their third child this September. Upon her marriage, Rania quit her job and took up various charitable causes, many of which are related to women. She chairs the Jordan River Foundation, which promotes empowerment and financial independence for women through handicraft businesses. And she heads a foundation that combats child abuse, a problem that is considered taboo in Jordanian society. For his part, Abdullah is following in his father's footsteps in many ways, one of which I find particularly enchanting. Just like King Hussein, Abdullah dresses up in disguise and travels anonymously among his subjects asking them about their lives and problems.

As a couple, Rania and Abdullah have chosen to stay as normal as possible. They still live in the villa they occupied before becoming king and queen, leaving the royal palace to Queen Noor and her children. Apparently, Rania has also been seen with her kids at Amman's Hard Rock Café and the family has been known to dine at the local Howard Johnson's. Rania also makes a point of picking up her children personally from their school whenever she can. People magazine has also reported that Rania and Abdullah enjoy a good episode of Friends and Dharma & Greg every so often. While they aren't exactly like us "common folk," the couple seems charming and intelligent with a touch of glamour that's sure to keep them at the front of the news for many years to come.

Want to learn more about Jordan's royal couple and dish other royal romances? Talk to Stephanie Wilson Chapin in our Royal Romance message board.

Yes, Rania and Abdullah seem to have it all but even the happiest couples can benefit from a little eHarlequin.com advice. Since the king and queen are about to add a third child to their brood, they might enjoy our latest travel piece, Romantic Travel with the Kids [link to feature]. They also seem to enjoy cuddling in front of the TV, so why not pop in one of the romantic movies featured in Romantic Movies. And, finally, Abdullah might want to consider pampering his pregnant wife with one of our indulgences. A foot massage always scores points with a woman in her final trimester.