Prince Hamzah was always very close to his father. In a letter * to his son on the occasion of Prince Hamzah's birthday in 1997, His Majesty King Hussein wrote: "I implore God Almighty that He may keep you as a Hashemite Arab Muslim and the delight of your parents and your family. I pray to God to guide you towards what He pleases so you can follow in the footsteps of your ancestors and descendants of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and to be, along with your brothers and peers of the Hashemite family members, a model in piety, in the love of the homeland and nation, and one of the nation's soldiers, servants and builders. May God Almighty protect you my beloved and dear son."

During Prince Hamzah's teenage years, he began spending a great deal of time with his father, and continued to do so until His Majesty King Hussein's death from cancer in February 1999. He says:

"It was the greatest honor and privilege, to have been able to spend so much time with my father, especially during the last 5-6 years of his life, to be able to learn so much from him about life … about how to live and how to die."

In January 1999, when His Majesty King Hussein's treatment at the Mayo Clinic in the United States appeared to be succeeding, he wrote the following about his son Hamzah, in a public  letter:

"I have been touched by his devotion to his country and by his integrity and magnanimity as he stayed beside me, not moving unless I forced him from time to time to carry out some duty…. After my insistence, I order him now, as his father and leader, to continue his studies [at Sandhurst], without any interruption,  until he finishes, by  God's  grace."

Flying directly from the US to the UK, Prince Hamzah embarked on the next phase of his life with his father's instructions and blessings. However, within a few weeks, His Majesty King Hussein's condition worsened, and, he passed away on February 7, 1999. His eldest son and successor to the throne, His Majesty King Abdullah bin al-Hussein, then officially named his brother, Hamzah, as Crown Prince of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

King Hussein also left his son Hamzah a more personal legacy - a father's wisdom and advice - the product of a lifetime of public service and political experience:

"My son, my advice to you is to fear God, to love others, and to love your homeland. Piety strengthens faith, lending you strength and a sound orientation in your life-long voyage. Your love of people will win you their affection and support. Love of your homeland will win you dignity and pride, as well as God's blessing and the people's contentment."

* Translation from original letter.