IRAN: The Bereft Queen

In government offices and theaters all over Teheran last week, Queen Soraya's pictures were being taken down. Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi had reluctantly and sadly given in to his court advisers and ended their seven-year marriage by royal proclamation.

All week long, the Shah moped, according to courtiers. He had slept little for weeks. Four times he changed the wording of the announcement until it almost seemed as if it were she who was divorcing him. The final announcement was as apologetic as a Shah can be: "The Queen, forgetting her personal feelings...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!