Dubai ruler takes estranged wife ‘in hiding at £85m London home’ to High Court in custody battle over two children
DUBAI’S ruler has demanded that two of his 23 kids return home to the UAE – launching court action against estranged wife Princess Haya.
She is said to be in hiding from billionaire Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, after fleeing to London.
Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, 45, hasn't been seen in public for weeks and, according to , is believed to be staying in a town house near Kensington Palace.
She was previously said to be in hiding in Germany.
The Sheikh is seeking custody of their kids, aged 11 and seven.
He initiated legal action against his sixth wife in the Family Division of the High Court, and a hearing has been scheduled for July 30.
His lawyers will argue that their kids belong with the Sheikh, 68, in Dubai.
Sheikh Mohammed is believed to have 23 children altogether, including 12 with his first and "senior" wife, Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum.
Legal documents were initially lodged in a Dubai court, before officials transferred the case to London's High Court, the Mail adds.
The Guardian said that Princess Haya is understood to have left the Sheikh, and the pair "are now engaged in a formal dispute in the high court".
£85M TOWN HOUSE
She is thought to be staying in an £85million property near Hyde Park, which she apparently bought without her husband, two years ago.
Since Princess Haya fled from him - apparently fearing for her life - her husband has penned poems about her disappearance.
He wrote: "We have an ailment that no medicine can cure" in his poem, "Affection in your eyes".
The Sheikh asks to "let the past be; soften your heart, forgive my mistakes, and reward my good deeds".
But he is also said to have denounced his wife in a rant on Instagram, accusing her of “betrayal”, adding: “Go to whom you get busy with!!!!!?”
Princess Haya is the younger half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan.
Educated at Oxford University, the keen sportswoman represented Jordan at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, in showjumping.
A spokeswoman for the UAE said: "The UAE government does not intend to comment on allegations about individuals' private lives."
Radha Stirling, director of campaign group Detained in Dubai, said "the real questions now are, what prompted Haya to leave, and will she reveal those reasons?"
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Two of Sheikh Mohammed's daughter have previously tried to flee the family in previous years.
In 2000, Sheikha Shamsa - then aged 18 - ran from the family's Longcross estate in Surrey.
But she was tracked down, and returned to Dubai.
Then, last year her full sister Sheikha Latifa fled by boat, was was intercepted off the coast of Bombay by UAE and Indian navies. She hasn't been seen in public since.
