Sheikh Mohammed & Princess Haya: The £554 Million Escape From Dubai
A Jordanian princess fled Dubai’s ruler with their children — and won one of the UK’s largest-ever divorce settlements
Key Facts
What Happened
In the spring of 2019, Princess Haya bint Al Hussein — daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan, Oxford-educated, Olympic equestrian, and the sixth wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the billionaire ruler of Dubai — fled to London with their two children and approximately £31 million in cash. She applied immediately for a forced marriage protection order and wardship of the children.
The case that followed in London’s Family Division of the High Court was extraordinary. Justice Andrew McFarlane found that Sheikh Mohammed had orchestrated the forced marriage of two of his daughters — Princess Shamsa (abducted from Cambridge in 2000) and Princess Latifa (captured at sea in 2018 while trying to escape Dubai) — and that these findings were directly relevant to Princess Haya’s fears for her own children’s safety.
The court found that Sheikh Mohammed had conducted a campaign of intimidation against Haya, including placing a gun on her bed and arranging for a helicopter to land near her home. He had also used Pegasus spyware (manufactured by Israeli company NSO Group) to hack the phones of Haya and her legal team — a finding that led to a separate legal action and intensified questions about surveillance technology.
In December 2021, the court ordered Sheikh Mohammed to pay approximately £554 million — one of the largest divorce settlements in UK legal history. This included £251 million upfront, £11 million per year for the children until they turn 18, security costs of £7 million per year, and funds for properties in England. The children remain in London under Haya’s care. The case exposed the darkest aspects of ultra-wealthy international custody disputes.
Legal Breakdown: International Custody & Forced Marriage
Forced Marriage Protection Orders
UK law provides specific protection against forced marriage under the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007. Haya obtained such an order for her children. These orders can restrict a person’s ability to remove children from the UK and are enforceable with imprisonment.
Wardship and International Custody
Haya made her children wards of the English court, giving the court direct responsibility for their welfare. Wardship is one of the most powerful custody tools available — no major decision about the children can be made without court approval. It is frequently used in international abduction and forced marriage cases.
Security Costs in Divorce Settlements
The £7 million per year for security was unprecedented in UK family law. When one party is a head of state with intelligence capabilities, the court recognized that standard police protection was insufficient. The settlement included funds for professional security teams, secure housing, and counter-surveillance measures.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →If you fear for your safety or your children’s safety, UK courts provide powerful protective tools including forced marriage protection orders and wardship.
- →The UK is considered a favorable jurisdiction for the less wealthy spouse. 'Divorce tourism' to London is a real strategy in international cases.
- →Surveillance by a spouse is illegal in most jurisdictions and can dramatically affect court outcomes. If you suspect monitoring, consult both a lawyer and a cybersecurity expert.
- →Even the most powerful individuals in the world can be held accountable by courts — if the case is in the right jurisdiction.
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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.