Former Queen “Farah Pahlavi” visiting family and friends in Paris
During this period, she travelled a great deal within, visiting some of the more remote parts of the country and meeting with the local citizens. Her significance was exemplified by her part in the 1967 Coronation Ceremonies, where she was crowned as the first shahbanu (empress) of modern. It was again confirmed when the Shah named her as the official regent should he die or be incapacitated before the Crown Prince’s 21st birthday. The naming of a woman as regent was highly unusual for a Middle Eastern or Muslim monarchy. The great wealth generated by Iran’s oil encouraged a sense of nationalism at the Imperial Court. The Empress recalled of her days as a university student in 1950s France about being asked where she was from:
