the beginning of his reign, Farouk was widely popular and was known as al malik al mahbub ("the beloved king"). Along with the throne, he inherited enormous wealth. Fuad left him a fortune estimated at US$100 million, including 30000 ha of land in the Nile valley, five palaces, 200 automobiles and two yachts. The land alone amounted to about one-seventh of Egypt's arable farmland.

Although Farouk inherited immense wealth and popularity, at age sixteen he came to the throne with little preparation for