After completing his medical treatment in the US, His Majesty King Hussein piloted his airplane into Amman's Marka Airport for the last time on 19 January 1999. Shortly after his return, King Hussein wrote a letter appointing his eldest son, HRH Prince Abdullah, Crown Prince of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Sadly, however, King Hussein's recovery was short-lived, and he passed away on 7 February 1999, deeply mourned by his family,  his people  and  the international community.

One of His Majesty King Abdullah II's first official acts upon inheriting his father's throne was to issue a Royal Decree, dated 7 February 1999, which states:

"We, Abdullah bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and in accordance with paragraph (a) of Article 28 of the Constitution, have issued our Royal Decree choosing our brother HRH Prince Hamzah bin Al-Hussein as Crown Prince,  to be granted all rights and privileges entailed therein."

In addition to serving as Crown Prince, Prince Hamzah also acts as Regent when the King is traveling outside Jordan, and deputizes for him at various official functions both at home and abroad.