The British Press Association (PA) and Reuters reported on Tuesday that Princess Haya bint al-Hussein had filed a mandatory petition for marriage protection in the Family Court of the Supreme Court in London.
Princess Haya, who is married to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, appeared in the case, following weeks of media speculation about her whereabouts.
The judge allowed the media to report a brief description of the case. Reuters said a forced marriage protection order related to one of the couple's two children. In addition, the king asked that all children be treated in court wards, the PA reported. He also asked for a non-fraudulent order.
Under English law, a compulsory marriage order is intended to protect a person from a marriage against their will, or to assist someone who is already in a compulsory marriage, for example by preventing that person from sending abroad.
In the case of children who become court wards, major decisions about their welfare cannot be made without the consent of the judge.
Sheikh Mohammed opposes the application and has asked the court to order the return of his children to Dubai, where he lives. He was not in court, and his representatives rejected CNN's request for comment.
Sheikh and the king issued a statement earlier this month confirming a case involving their children.
"These cases are concerned for the well-being of two children of their marriage and it does not matter for divorce or money," the statement read, according to the Press Association.
Princess Haya al-Hussein's Jordan from the Supreme Court in London on July 30, 2019.
Tuesday's investigation was subject to severe reporting restrictions, and CNN and other international media were not allowed to enter the courtroom.
However, after listening to a presentation from the British media organizations, Family Unit President, Sir Andrew McFarlane, allowed a brief description of the case. Reuters said a forced marriage protection order related to one of the children.
"There is a public interest in mobilizing, in many words, cases before the court," the judge said, according to the PA. He did not allow the gender or generation of the two children to be revealed.
Reports have been mounting in the British media for weeks about the failed royal marriage after the king was reportedly separated from her husband and traveled to London.
He is the third member of Sheikh Mohammed's family to leave the UAE. Two of his daughters - from another marriage - have previously tried to leave the country.
Princess Haya, daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan and sister of the King of Jordan, is a renowned international figure. He is close friends with the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
The Queen, who is 45, studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University and is a leading partner, representing Jordan at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
Sheikh Mohammed, 70, is vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai.
Princess Haya was represented in court by Fiona Shackleton, who contested for Prince Charles in her divorce from Princess Diana. Sheikh Mohammed's legal team led by Helen Ward, who represented actor Guy Ritchie in his split from singer Madonna.
0 Comments