Here follows the full text of the royal message, read out by HM the King's advisor Abdellatif Menouni :

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, on this fortieth day after the passing of the late Mr. M'hammed Boucetta - may he rest in peace - we are honouring the memory of one of the worthy sons of the nation.

At this point in time, I remember the poignant moments that marked the last time I went to visit him in hospital. It never crossed my mind that, few weeks later, he would be leaving us and joining his Creator.

I remember that he was as courteous, affectionate and spontaneous as always. He had the same good sense of humor and the same wise, well-chosen words.

I also remember, with all due respect, the times when he used to accompany me, when I was younger, on my numerous official missions abroad to visit the leaders of member countries of the Organization of African Unity, or far-off countries, like India. He was clearly held in high esteem, both by Heads of State and by his peers.

My revered father, His Majesty King Hassan II - blessed be his soul - had special esteem for him, and I myself thought highly of him and cared deeply for him. The doors of the Royal Palace were open to him whenever he wanted to visit.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we honour the memory of the deceased, it is befitting to recall the qualities of a dear person, who was not only a great patriot, but also a seasoned statesman, a capable activist and party leader as well as an innovative president of the Bar Association. He was also known for his lofty human qualities.

Mr. Boucetta will be remembered as a genuine patriot. He thus joined the National Movement at an early age, participating in the struggle for Morocco’s freedom and independence.

He was also known for his indisputable loyalty to the glorious Alawite dynasty, for his strong commitment to the nation’s immutable values and for his untiring defense thereof, particularly the justness of our national cause. He was also actively involved in defending the Palestinian cause.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With the passing of Mr. M’hammed Boucetta, Morocco has lost one of its towering statesmen who was known for his wisdom, his far-sightedness and his commitment to serving the causes of his nation and of his fellow countrymen.

Throughout his rich life, he revealed his mettle as a true patriot, displaying great competence as well as a keen sense of responsibility, commitment and selflessness in all the positions he held - in government, in Parliament as well as in the diplomatic service.

Considering that vast, varied experience, I decided, in 2003, to appoint the late Mr. Boucetta at the head of the advisory committee tasked with introducing substantive reforms into the Personal Statute Code.

The deceased lived up to what was expected of him, accomplishing his mission in an optimal manner. He made constructive contributions towards the completion of the committee’s task and the drafting of an advanced family law.

In the political domain, the deceased proved to be a seasoned and gifted activist as well as a wise party leader, who believed deeply in committed political action. He engaged in a principled brand of politics that sought to achieve lofty goals.

He thus managed to develop a characteristic style which earned him the reputation of a politician who sought to convince rather than to simply differ. His intuitive mind taught him that committed political action involved constant, arduous endeavors to rally people around precise objectives for specific periods of time.

He was constantly aware of the importance of maintaining the major balances underpinning the Moroccan State as well as the need to give priority to constructive joint action.

Since judicious, clear-sighted political action was a central part of his persona, he remained keenly interested in the main issues of the nation till his last days.

Thanks to these rare qualities, he managed to win the unanimous support of all the components of the Istiqlal Party, of which he was a founding member. He then served as the party’s Secretary-General for more than 24 years, before becoming a member of its executive board, then President of the Allal El Fassi Foundation, proving he was a good successor to a worthy predecessor.

He became an emblematic figure in the eyes of the party’s activists - men and women alike - thanks to his vast experience as well as his wisdom and good judgment in managing political affairs, remaining forever committed to principles and favoring dialogue and constructive consensus that put the best interests of the nation above all other considerations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I hold the late dear Mr. Boucetta in high esteem and wish to say how much I appreciate his great service to his country and his King.

I never perceived him as a "silent wise man", but rather as a wise person, in the true sense of the word. He knew when not to speak and when not to keep silent. He remained committed to this judicious approach until his last breath.

Regarding his qualities, we would not be doing him justice if we failed to refer to Mr. Boucetta, the man.

A man of honorable character, simplicity and honest humility, he was always respected and admired by those who knew him or worked alongside him.

Because of this, he stands out as a model for present and future generations – someone to be looked up to for his love for the homeland, his untiring dedication to defending the causes of the nation and his readiness to rise to the challenges facing it.

May Almighty God rest the soul of the deceased and comfort his loved ones, his larger family within the Istiqlal Party and all those to whom he endeared himself. May God accept him in His vast Paradise.

"Among the Believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah, of them some have completed their vow (to the extreme), and some (still) wait: but they have never changed (their determination) in the least".

True is the Word of God.