The wife of the billionaire ruler of Dubai has been seen for the first time since fleeing Dubai last month as she arrived at the High Court for a hearing about the welfare of their children. In what is set to be one of the most expensive and fiercely contested cases, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum and his estranged wife of 15 years, Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein, are starting a court battle over their two children. The case is being hear in the Family Court Division of the High Court before Sir Andrew McFarlane, its president. The court is currently considering issues regarding reporting restrictions. Both sides have appointed some of Britain's best-known lawyers for the proceedings which started on Tuesday. It is centred around "the welfare of the two children of their marriage", according to court papers. Princess Haya, 45, the sister of Jordan’s King Abdullah and the most glamorous and visible of the sheikh’s six wives, left the royal palace in Dubai last month for Germany. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Princess Haya bint Al Hussein attend Derby Day at Ascot in 2016 Credit: David M Benett/Getty She then travelled on to the UK, where she is now believed to be staying in the Emirati royal family’s £85 million ($107 million) house in
Kensington Palace Gardens. She was conspicuously absent from Royal Ascot this year, despite being an Olympic rider and a regular at races. Sheikh Mohammed, 70, one of the world’s wealthiest men, is the founder and owner of Godolphin horse racing stables. The Telegraph understands that the princess, who spent much of her childhood in the
UK before studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University, has not yet requested Government assistance or asylum through official channels though is hoping to remain in the country. The case will be a diplomatic headache for the UK, which has strong trading and defence ties with the UAE. The UAE released the first images of Sheikha Latifa in December, months after friends and supporters claim her disappearance followed commandos storming a boat carrying her off the coast of India. It is not known exactly why the princess left Dubai. However, a poem posted on a
Instagram account connected to Sheikh Mohammed on Instagram accusing an unidentified woman of "treachery and betrayal". "You no longer have a place within me, go to who has kept you occupied," it reads, ending: "I do not care whether you live or die". Princess Haya bint al-Hussein greeting
Queen Elizabeth II in 2016 at Royal Ascot Credit: Jason Dawson She is listed on Companies House as the main shareholder of a business named Candlelight Services, which was incorporated in
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