No reason was given for the decision made ahead of the monarch's 57th birthday on 21 August.

Morocco's calendar is dotted with holidays and festivals marking dates of importance to the monarchy, which has ruled the kingdom since 1664.

Last month, the royal household asked Moroccans to celebrate a two-day holiday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the king's reign on 30 and 31 July "without extravagance", the AFP news agency reports.

A new constitution was introduced in 2010, expanding the powers of parliament and the prime minister but leaving the king with broad authority over all branches of government.

King Mohammed marked 20 years on the throne in July and officials called for "frugal celebrations"