Moroccan prince Moulay Hassan no longer fan of traditional hand-kissing gesture

A recently emerged video showed that the 12-year-old Crown Prince of Morocco, Moulay Hassan has stopped the hand-kissing ritual, which he had been previously criticized for.

Hassan was seen in a 2012 video with Moroccan officials bowing down and kissing the hands of the prince. Although many people have pointed out the nature of hand-kissing as a deeply rooted "gesture" symbolizing relations between the people and the monarchy, and therefore considered a mark of respect (for the monarch), the prince was still criticized for it and named as being a "spoiled brat" and a "little dictator."

But the prince (born in 2003) seems to have broken the tradition with his last appearance at an official engagement, when he did not let the elderly men kiss his hand. He instantly snatched away his hand as dignitaries leant forward to give it a kiss.

Hassan is the current heir apparent to the Moroccan throne. He is the oldest child of King Mohammed VI of Morocco and has a younger sister, Princess Lalla Khadija.