The billionaire ruler of Dubai's estranged wife has today applied for custody of their two children and "forced marriage protection" after fleeing to the UK, APA reports citing The Sun.
Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein, 45, was seen arriving at London's High Court this morning for the first time since she came to the country in June.
In an earlier statement the couple said the proceedings concerned the welfare of their children and not divorce or finances.
COURT ORDERS
Princess Haya also applied for a non-molestation order today, though it was not clear who it was directed at.
A forced marriage protection order is a type of injunction that stops someone from physical violence, making direct or indirect contact, taking you out of the country or making marriage arrangements.
The court also heard that Sheikh bin Rashid al-Maktoum, 70, applied to the High Court for the summary return of the children to Dubai.
He was not at court today.
President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew Macfarlane, turned down the Sheik's attempt to bring in reporting restrictions, saying the details were in the "public interest".
However, reporters who were not accredited in the UK or whose publications were based outside of England and Wales were prevented from attending the hearing.
Oxford-educated Princess Haya is one of Sheikh Rashid al-Maktoum's six wives and a Jordanian princess.
She fled Dubai at the beginning of the year and eventually arrived in Germany in May before moving on to Britain.
It's said she left her husband after disapproving how the Sheikh had treated his daughter Princess Latifa.
Sheikha Latifa, 33, has allegedly been abducted by Emirati forces from a yacht off the coast of India as she attempted to flee and has not been since December.
Prior to today's court appearance Princess Haya had reportedly been hiding out at her £85 million mansion near Kensington Palace in West London.
ESTRANGED
Princess Haya was accompanied by her legal team today, including specialist divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton, who negotiated Prince Charles' split with Princess Diana.
Protesters waving banners were seen demonstrating against Sheikh Mohammed, who will be represented by the well-connected Lady Helen Ward, a partner at Stewarts Law.
Despite living in Dubai, the estranged couple are able to carry out custody or divorce proceedings in the UK without having citizenship as they are not criminal proceedings.
The well-developed English court system has a reputation for giving a fair hearing and offering privacy to those involved in custody cases and high figure divorces.
The Sheikh's extensive property portfolio in and connections to the UK will have enabled the couple to have their case heard at London's High Court.
He graduated from prestigious army academy Sandhurst and is a powerful figure in Britain's horseracing industry.
Princess Haya was educated in Britain and also has a great love of horses. She was an Olympic equestrian in 200 and served on the International Olympic Committee.
Experts say if they do divorce they could be fighting over a fortune of £4.5billion, making it one of the most high worth divorces in British history.
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