US-Moroccan relations—from economic, defense and cultural ties to Washington’s diplomatic backing of Morocco on key regional issues—were central topics at the embassy’s July 30 Throne Day celebration.

Hosted at the Organization of American States, this Moroccan holiday honored the 27th anniversary of King Mohommad VI’s accession to the throne. Senior leaders in politics, diplomacy, business, media and more attended the event, with keynote speeches by Ambassador Youssef Amrani and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. 

The event occurred at the same time more than 60,000 migrants crossed the border from Morocco to the Spanish territory of Ceuta on the North African coast between July 30-31, prompting a humanitarian crisis. While many have since returned, more than 80 migrants died in attempting the crossing. 

Blame for the incident has since been placed both countries. Earlier in the month, Spain’s Supreme Court ruled that migrants who arrive by sea could not be summarily deported without due process. Some observers claim that Morocco knew of the planned mass migration. However, it still isn’t fully clear what caused the crisis. 

Back in Washington, Landau spoke on Morocco’s strategic diplomatic relations with the US, reaffirming a 2020 decision made by President Trump that Morocco has sovereignty over the Western Sahara. That decision, he said, has sparked a new initiative in Morocco, noting that “we were very pleased and honored with King Mohommad VI’s recent announcement that he will rename the expressway along Morocco’s coast in honor of President Donald Trump.”

Amrani also took the stage to speak about bilateral relations under King Mohammed VI, as well as the country’s innovation and investment goals towards 2030. 

“The partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States is measured not only by its longevity, but by its ongoing ability to reinvent itself,” he said.

Morocco’s Throne Day celebration in Washington underscored the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations, dating back 250 years when Morocco was the world’s first nation to recognize US independence during the Revolutionary War. 

Photos by Annie Leatherman