In a bold and unexpected move, Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, daughter of Dubai’s current ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, publicly announced her divorce from her husband, Sheikh Mana bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mana Al Maktoum, via Instagram.
In a cutting post directed at her husband, Sheikha Mahra, 30, did not hold back her feelings. “Dear Husband, As you are occupied with other companions, I hereby declare our divorce,” she wrote, before emphatically adding, “I divorce you, I divorce you, and I divorce you. Take care. Your ex-wife.”
This high-profile marital split comes just months after their lavish wedding reception in Dubai. The couple had tied the knot in May 2023 following their engagement announcement in March last year. The engagement was even celebrated with an official poem penned by Sheikh Mana’s father, adding a touch of traditional grandeur to the event.
The wedding was a spectacle of luxury, with Sheikha Mahra dazzling in a white embroidered ballgown designed by Dubai-based Ezra Couture. However, the fairy-tale facade did not last long.
Sheikha Mahra’s Instagram decree follows shortly after a significant milestone in their lives—the birth of their daughter. The couple announced their pregnancy on October 18, 2023, sharing an ultrasound photo with the caption, “Just the three of us.” The anticipation culminated in a pink-themed gender reveal in February during Sheikha Mahra’s 30th birthday celebrations, where they joyfully revealed they were expecting a girl.
The birth of their daughter was announced on May 9, with Sheikha Mahra posting a tender photo of the newborn’s tiny hand, captioned, “✨🤍✨.” A few weeks later, she shared a heartfelt selfie with her daughter, captioned, “Just the two of us,” perhaps hinting at the brewing marital issues.
Sheikh Mana’s silence on the matter speaks volumes, especially given the public nature of Sheikha Mahra’s announcement. The Arabian Royal Agency, which had announced their engagement, has yet to comment on this sudden turn of events.
This public divorce declaration is notable not just for its personal implications but also for what it signifies about the changing dynamics within royal families, even in traditionally conservative societies like the UAE. The move underscores Sheikha Mahra’s independence and willingness to take control of her narrative in a public forum.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the 75-year-old ruler of Dubai and the vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, has not publicly commented on his daughter’s announcement. His stance on the matter remains to be seen, especially given the potential political and social implications of this high-profile split.
The divorce saga of Sheikha Mahra and Sheikh Mana unfolds as a gripping narrative of love, power, and personal agency, played out under the unforgiving spotlight of social media. As the world watches, one thing is clear: even royalty is not immune to the complexities of modern relationships.
