The picture of Jordan's King ready for battle with Islamic State is real

After the brutal execution by fire of a Jordanian pilot captured by Islamic State (also known as ISIS or ISIL), rumours have been circulating on social media that King Abdullah II of Jordan had personally led air attacks against the Islamist militia.

These were coupled with a photo (right) of the King in military fatigues. Lots of people initially doubted its authenticity, but it seems to be legitimate.

It was actually posted on the official Facebook page of the The Royal Hashemite Court (Jordan's monarchy), pretty much guaranteeing that it's authentic.

The image caption simply said: "His Majesty King Abdullah II, The Supreme Commander of Jordanian Armed Forces, cuts his visit to the United States of America after the martyrdom of Muath Al Kasasbeh."

It's not clear that Abdullah II was actually physically involved in attacks on Islamic State, but it's not beyond belief: According to a 2013 interview he's a keen helicopter pilot. After an early education at the UK's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he went on to command Jordan's special forces.

The Washington Examiner carried this amazing snippet from US congressmen who visiting the King in Jordan as part of an official trip:

"He said there is going to be retribution like ISIS hasn't seen," said Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter Jr., a Marine Corps veteran of two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, who was in the meeting with the king. "He mentioned 'Unforgiven' and he mentioned Clint Eastwood, and he actually quoted a part of the movie."

Hunter would not say which part of "Unforgiven" the king quoted, but noted it was where Eastwood's character describes how he is going to deliver his retribution. There is a scene in the picture in which Eastwood's character, William Munny, says, "Any man I see out there, I'm gonna kill him. Any son of a bitch takes a shot at me, I'm not only going to kill him, I'm going to kill his wife and all his friends and burn his damn house down."