Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Dubai Princess Shaikha Mahra Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum publicly declared her divorce from her husband, Sheikh Mana Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid bin Mana Al Maktoum, in an Instagram post.
Photos: Instagram/hhshmahra
Shaikha Mahra is the daughter of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and the Ruler of Dubai, known for her advocacy of women's empowerment and support for local designers in the UAE.
The couple celebrated their wedding in May 2023 and welcomed their first child, a daughter named Mahra, in May 2024. Despite the recent birth, Shaikha Mahra's divorce announcement hints at a troubled relationship.
In her Instagram message, Shaikha Mahra wrote, "Dear Husband, As you are preoccupied with other companions, I hereby declare our divorce. I divorce you, I divorce you, and I divorce you. Take care. Your ex-wife."
Photo: Instagram/man3almaktoum
The announcement sparked speculation on social media about the authenticity of the post, with discussions on the procedural aspects of divorce in Islamic law. Users noted that the couple had unfollowed each other and removed photos from their profiles.
Shaikha Mahra holds a degree in International Relations from a UK university and has studied at the Mohammed bin Rashid Government Administration College.
The engagement of Shaikha Mahra and Sheikh Mana was announced on March 22, 2023, followed by their traditional Islamic marriage ceremony, Katb Al-Kitab, on May 28, 2023, and a lavish wedding reception in Dubai in June 2023.
Prior to the divorce announcement, Shaikha Mahra posted a cryptic message on Instagram with her baby, captioned "Just the two of us," indicating possible underlying issues in their marriage.
Responses on social media varied from expressions of support and sympathy to questions about the divorce process under Islamic law, reflecting widespread interest in the royal family's personal affairs.