Princess Haya vs. Sheikh Mohammed — The $734 Million Royal Divorce That Exposed a Surveillance State
She fled Dubai fearing for her life. He hacked her phone. A British court awarded her $734 million — the largest divorce settlement in UK history.
Key Facts
What Happened
Princess Haya bint al-Hussein, the daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan and half-sister of King Abdullah II, married Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE, in 2004. For 15 years, she was one of the most visible and glamorous royal figures in the Middle East. They had two children: daughter Jalila and son Zayed. Princess Haya owned 400 racehorses and had an estimated $85 million wardrobe.
In April 2019, Princess Haya fled Dubai with her children, saying she feared for her safety as her marriage deteriorated. She settled in London and filed for divorce the following month. The legal battle that followed would expose extraordinary details about life inside one of the world's wealthiest royal families. A British High Court found that Sheikh Mohammed had 'ordered and orchestrated' the abduction and forced return to Dubai of two other adult daughters — Sheikha Latifa in 2002 and 2018, and her sister Sheikha Shamsa in 2000.
Perhaps most dramatically, the court found that Sheikh Mohammed had authorized the hacking of Princess Haya's phone and the phones of her attorneys using Pegasus spyware — Israeli-developed surveillance technology. The phone hacking was conducted during the legal proceedings themselves, meaning the Sheikh was illegally monitoring his wife's legal strategy. The court described the hacking as constituting a 'potential threat' to the family court proceedings.
In December 2021, a London judge ordered Sheikh Mohammed to pay Princess Haya at least £554 million ($734 million) — the largest financial award in the history of UK family courts. The settlement included £251.5 million to be paid within three months, annual payments of £11 million for the children's education secured by a £290 million bank guarantee, £5 million annually for holidays including private jet travel, and even £39,000 for trampolines. The case set new precedents for international divorce jurisdiction and the protection of vulnerable spouses fleeing powerful partners.
Legal Breakdown: Fleeing an abusive powerful spouse and international jurisdiction
International Divorce Jurisdiction
Princess Haya filed for divorce in London rather than Dubai, choosing a jurisdiction with stronger protections for women. The UK's family courts have broad jurisdiction when a party is resident in England, and the courts are known for generous settlements — making London the 'divorce capital of the world' for wealthy international couples.
Surveillance and Spousal Abuse
The court's finding that Sheikh Mohammed used Pegasus spyware to hack his wife's phone — and her lawyers' phones — during divorce proceedings set a landmark precedent. Surveillance of a spouse during divorce proceedings is a form of abuse that can result in sanctions, adverse inferences, and increased settlements.
Fleeing an Abusive Powerful Spouse
Princess Haya's flight from Dubai to London demonstrated that even the most privileged individuals can be trapped in abusive relationships. The court's finding that Sheikh Mohammed posed the 'biggest threat' to his own children and wife validated her decision to flee and established important protections for spouses escaping powerful abusers.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Choose your divorce jurisdiction strategically — different countries offer vastly different protections and outcomes.
- →Surveillance of a spouse during divorce proceedings is illegal and can result in severe court sanctions.
- →Physical safety must be the first priority when leaving a powerful and controlling partner.
- →The UK's family courts offer strong protections for vulnerable spouses — London remains the international venue of choice for contested divorces.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.