Princess Haya: Wife of Dubai's ruler flees to London

Princess Haya: Wife of Dubai's ruler flees to London

Princess Haya Bint al Hussein, the wife of Dubai's ruler and Prime Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is reportedly seeking protection in the UK after fleeing Dubai.

According to the BBC, Princess Haya, who is the daughter of King Hussein of Jordan, is said to be “afraid for her life.” A person close to the royal family told the New York Times that she arrived in London months ago, and is seeking political asylum while filing for divorce. 

A legal battle between the couple is now underway in the High Court over the divorce and custody of the couple’s two children.

Princess Haya reportedly fled the UAE after learning of ‘disturbing facts’ regarding the case of Sheikha Latifa, the daughter of the ruler of Dubai, who made a failed attempt to escape from her family in March of last year. She was captured off the coast of India and disappeared for months until she was photographed alongside Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland. Princess Haya herself had arranged Robinson’s visit to Dubai.

Robinson’s seemingly bizarre intervention drew harsh criticism after she confirmed the Emirati authorities much-disputed official line regarding Latifa’s disappearance. 

 

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