Royal news: Princess Haya ‘forced marriage protection’ legal battle arranged for November
A LEGAL battle between the ruler of Dubai and his estranged wife, who is represented by Prince Charles’ former divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton, over their children will be heard by the UK's High Court in November.
Princess Haya leaves London’s High Court with legal team
The full hearing of the dispute between Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein will be heard in London on November 11. Princess Haya arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice in London again on Wednesday for the second day of a preliminary hearing before the president of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane. The court heard on Tuesday that she is applying for a forced marriage protection order in relation to the children.
Sir Andrew allowed the media to report that Princess Haya has applied for wardship of their children, as well as for a non-molestation order and a forced marriage protection order.
A forced marriage protection order can be made to protect a person from being forced into a marriage or from any attempt to be forced into a marriage and could, for example, prevent someone being taken abroad.
The details of the order sought by Princess Haya are not known.
Sir Andrew rejected an application by Sheikh Mohammed's lawyers for those details to be subject to reporting restrictions.
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The court also heard that Sheikh Mohammed has applied to the High Court for the summary return of the children to Dubai.
Princess Haya and Sheikh Mohammed issued a statement confirming they are parties to proceedings before the court following a private hearing before Sir Andrew earlier this month.
The statement said: "These proceedings are concerned with the welfare of the two children of their marriage and do not concern divorce or finances."
Sheikh Mohammed, who turned 70 earlier this month, is the vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai.
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He was not at the hearing on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Princess Haya, 45, who is the half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan and is Sheikh Mohammed's sixth wife, reportedly fled Dubai earlier this year.