LONDON: Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein, the sixth wife of 70-year-old Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, has asked for a forced marriage protection order in a British court.
Princess Haya, 45, appeared in a central London court for the first day of her high-profile legal battle with the Dubai ruler on Tuesday, CNN has reported.
-Forced Marriage-
Princess Haya applied for a UK forced marriage protection order relating to their children, as well as for wardship of their children, and a non-molestation order relating to herself.
In addition to the forced marriage protection order, the princess has also reportedly asked for the wardship of the couple’s two children and a non-molestation order for herself.
However, the details of the protection order sought by Princess Haya are not known.
A forced marriage protection order can be made under English law to protect a person from being forced into a marriage or help someone already in forced marriage, for example by preventing the person from being taken abroad.
Sheikh Mohammed, who has asked for his children to return to Dubai where he lives, was not present in the court.
The Sheikh and the princess issued a statement earlier this month confirming they were parties at the hearing at the Family Division of the High Court.
“These proceedings are concerned with the welfare of the two children of their marriage and do not concern divorce or finances,” the statement read.
–Not The First–
Princess Haya Bint Hussein — 2019
She is the third female family member of Sheikh Mohammed’s court to leave the UAE after two of his daughters — from another marriage — previously attempted to flee.
Since then, reports have been floating in the British media that the princess has been living with her kids Sheikh Zayed and Sheikha Al Jalila, in a mansion near Kensington Palace worth about USD 107 million.
Princess Haya, the daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan and the half-sister of the King of Jordan, is a well-known international figure. She is a close of the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
Princess Latifa Maktoum — 2018
In 2018, Princess Latifa Maktoum attempted to escape in a yacht in 2018. She made a 39-minutes recorded video that has nearly 4 million views.
Princess Shamsa Maktoum — 2000
Before Princess Latifa, almost 20 years, her sister Princess Shamsa Maktoum was the first to run away from her family in July 2000. Since her attempted escape, Princess Shamsa had not made a public appearance.