Dubai princess announces divorce 1 year after wedding

Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, daughter of Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Photo from Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Instagram

"Dear Husband," read the princess’ Instagram post, which was uploaded on Wednesday. "As you are occupied with other companions, I hereby declare our divorce."

"I divorce you, I divorce you, I divorce you," she added. "Take care. Your ex-wife."

According to The Independent, her post appears to mirror the traditional Islamic practice of "triple talaq" (instant divorce), which allows a Muslim man to legally divorce his wife by stating the word "talaq," the Arabic term for "divorce," three times consecutively in spoken, written, or electronic form.

This public announcement on Instagram followed both parties unfollowing each other and deleting their wedding photos from their social media accounts, as reported by Khaleej Times.

9news.com.au also noted that pictures of the princess’ husband have been deleted from her Instagram, and her photos have been removed from his account.

Instagram reactions were varied, with some users speculating that the princess’ account might have been hacked. Nonetheless, no evidence of hacking has surfaced since the post was published. Many users expressed support for her, praising her bravery and extending best wishes for her future. Some also wondered if infidelity was involved, given her choice of words.

Neither the family of the ruler of Dubai nor Sheikh Mana bin Mohammed have publicly addressed the situation.

The couple, who had a lavish wedding ceremony in June 2023, welcomed their first child, a daughter, in May.

Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 30, is among Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s 26 children. Her father also holds the positions of vice president and prime minister of Dubai.

Sheikh Mana bin Mohammed, 26, is an entrepreneur. As reported by Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, he has spearheaded several companies and commercial ventures including AlBarada Trading, Dubai Tech, GCI Real Estate Development Company, and MM Group of Companies.