A qualified scuba diver, pilot and a free-fall parachutist. His other interests include motor racing, water sports and collecting ancient weapons and armaments.

Meet His Majesty King Abdullah II, king of the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan.

Born in Amman, educated in the UK and the US, Abdullah -- the eldest of five brothers and six sisters -- took over as king when his father, King Hussein, passed away on February 7, 1999.

Abdullah has courses at Sandhurst and Oxford in England and Georgetown University, Washington, DC, under his belt, and was a major general heading Jordan's special forces before ascending the throne.

He married Queen Rania in June 1993. They have two sons and two daughters, the youngest son born January 30 this year.

Abdullah reviews an honour guard during a visit to Luxembourg.

ALSO READ: Jordan crown prince stripped of title

Photograph: FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP/Getty Images