Pahlavi accepts Freedom Prize in Frankfurt as thousands of supporters rally

Ceremony in the Paulskirche

Reza Pahlavi accepted the Freedom Prize of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Frankfurt am Main on Saturday, 7 November 2026. The foundation, which stands close to the FDP, gave the award to the Iranian people for their will to freedom, and Pahlavi received it as their representative. The ceremony took place in the Paulskirche, a site that symbolises German democracy. Pahlavi is the son of the shah who was overthrown in 1979 and lives in exile in the United States, where he has put himself forward as a transitional leader should the government in Tehran fall.

What Pahlavi said

Pahlavi announced that he would one day hand the award to the Iranian people, but in their capital Tehran rather than on foreign soil. He described his own role as that of a bridge builder. He made clear that he rejects the current system.

“The Islamic Republic is not the legitimate government of Iran.”

The audience, largely of Iranian descent, repeatedly drowned out the ceremony with chants of 'Long live the shah, long live Iran!'

Criticism and support

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a FDP member of the European Parliament, emphasised that Pahlavi has always said the Iranian people decide their own future. Reporting noted that not everyone agrees with the award to the shah's son. Strack-Zimmermann responded with a remark that drew a reaction from the crowd.

“Then you always know that you are on the right track.”

Pahlavi nevertheless has many supporters. Many observers view him critically because of the monarchy his father led in an autocratic manner before 1979.

Demonstrations and police response

Police put about 5,000 demonstrators across the city at midday, and about 3,000 on the Römerberg and around the Paulskirche. A large rally in the Ostpark was due to begin in the afternoon, and the city said 30,000 people had registered for it. Police deployed a large contingent of officers in the city. They arrested one man in the area of the rallies after receiving a tip about a livestream in which he allegedly announced crimes.

Some supporters reportedly spent the night on the Römer, while others travelled in from Cyprus and Greece. The figures given are police and city counts from midday and do not describe the final turnout.

Police count, city-wide, midday5,000

Police count, Römerberg and Paulskirche, midday3,000

Registered for Ostpark rally, city figure30,000

Police count, city-wide, midday

5000 people

Police count, Römerberg and Paulskirche, midday

3000 people

Registered for Ostpark rally, city figure

30000 people

Data from the article text