Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Sheikh
Sheikh Hamdan in 2009
Crown Prince of Dubai
Appointed1 February 2008 - present
MonarchMohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
PredecessorRashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Deputy Ruler of Dubai
In office
4 January 2006 – 1 February 2008
MonarchMohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Preceded byMaktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Succeeded byMaktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
BornHamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
(1982-11-14) 14 November 1982 (age 41)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Spouse
Shaikha bint Saeed bin Thani Al Maktoum
​
​
(m. 2019)​
IssueRashid bin Hamdan Al Maktoum
Shaikha bint Hamdan Al Maktoum
Mohammed bin Hamdan Al Maktoum
HouseAl Maktoum
FatherMohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
MotherHind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum
Education
Sports career
Medal record
Representing  United Arab Emirates
Equestrian
World Equestrian Games
Gold medal – first place 2010 Kentucky Team endurance
Gold medal – first place 2014 Normandy Individual endurance
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Kentucky Individual endurance

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Arabic: حمدان بن محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم; born 14 November 1982) is an Emirati royal and politician who has been the Crown Prince of Dubai since 2008. He previously served as deputy ruler of Dubai from 2006 to 2008. He is popularly known as Fazza (Arabic: فزاع), the name under which he publishes his poetry, which means "the one who helps" in Arabic.[1] As an equestrian, Maktoum is a multiple world champion at the World Equestrian Games.[2][3]

Early life and education

Hamdan bin Mohammed is the son of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, the senior wife of Mohammed. He is the second son of their twelve children and the fourth of his father's children; he is the third son of his father. Hamdan's elder full brother was Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed.[4]

Hamdan bin Mohammed was educated in Dubai at the Rashid School For Boys and then at the Dubai School of Government.[5] He continued his studies in the United Kingdom, where he graduated from Sandhurst in 2001;[6] he later attended the London School of Economics.[7][8] In his interview with Vision he described how Sandhurst taught him the importance of self-discipline, commitment, virtue, responsibility, endurance, understanding, teamwork, friendship and the benefits of hard work.[9]

Roles and positions

Hamdan bin Mohammed was appointed as the Chairman of the Dubai executive council in September 2006.[8] On 1 February 2008, he was appointed Crown Prince of Dubai, while his brother Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum acceded to Deputy Ruler of Dubai.[10][11] As the new hereditary prince, Maktoum appointed new key personnel and financial advisors such as economist John Calverly and hedge fund personality James T. Naeem, while Maktoum himself became head of HN Capital LLP.[12] He is the head of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for young entrepreneurs; he sits on the Dubai sports council and the Dubai autism centre.[7]

He was part of the Dubai World Expo 2020 delegation when the emirate was awarded the right to host the event.[13] He went to the top floor of the Burj Khalifa to wave the UAE flag a few days after the World Expo 2020 win.[14] He is the founder of the Hamdan International Photography Award, which was launched in 2011.[15]

In June 2022, Sheikh Hamdan launched the "Dubai Global" initiative, which was meant to establish 50 commercial representative offices for Dubai in five continents across the world. The initiative was to support Dubai-based firms and to strengthen the city's position as a business hub.[16]

Personal interests

The Crown Prince's Instagram account has more than 15 million followers, as of November 2022. He posts pictures that showcase his hobbies, which include animals, poetry, sports, photography, and adventures.[17]

Hamdan Al Maktoum is a licensed equestrian, skydiver, and scuba diver. He dives in Fujairah.[7] He is known for his romantic and patriotic poems in Arabic. He publishes his poems under the pen name of Fazza (فزاع). He rides for Godolphin Stables and has attended the Royal Ascot.[18]

Sheikh Hamdan won a gold medal at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA), team gold in 2012, and a bronze medal in 2010. He led a team of five UAE riders at Championships in Samorín on 17 September 2016.[19][20]

Personal life

On 15 May 2019, Hamdan married Sheikha Shaikha bint Saeed bin Thani Al Maktoum.[21][22][23][24][25] On the same day, his brothers, Maktoum and Ahmad, also got married.[26] On 6 June 2019, he and his brothers celebrated the royal weddings together at the Dubai World Trade Centre.[27][28][29]

On 21 May 2021, it was announced that Sheikh Hamdan had welcomed twins, a son named Rashid and a daughter named Shaikha.[30][31] On 25 February 2023, Sheikh Hamdan and his wife Sheikha Shaikha welcomed a son, named Mohammed bin Hamdan Al Maktoum.[32]

Honours


References

  1. ^ "13 facts about Sheikh Hamdan to celebrate 13 years as Crown Prince of Dubai". The National. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Sheikh Hamdan takes father's Endurance World Championship crown". Yahoo! News. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Sheikh Hamdan crowned champion of FEI World Equestrian Games". Buro247. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  4. ^ Christopher M. Davidson (29 November 2009). "A tale of two desert dynasties". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  5. ^ "Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum". royalista.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  6. ^ "HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum". LinkedIn. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  7. ^ a b c "Profile: Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammad Al Maktoum". Gulf News. 1 February 2008. Archived from the original on 9 February 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2008.
  8. ^ a b "Shaikh Hamdan appointed Dubai's Crown Prince". Gulf News. 1 February 2008. Archived from the original on 8 February 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
  9. ^ "A very modern prince". Archived from the original on 31 July 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  10. ^ "Sheikh Mohammed: A timeline of achievements". Gulf News. 5 January 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  11. ^ "Maktoum Bin Mohammad: Following in his father's footsteps". Gulf News. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  12. ^ "Fan Page information source". Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  13. ^ "Expo 2020: Dubai celebrates in style". Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  14. ^ "Shaikh Hamdan waves UAE flag from top of Burj Khalifa". Khaleej Times. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  15. ^ "Hamdan International Photography Award". artdubai.ae. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  16. ^ "Hamdan bin Mohammed launches 'Dubai Global' initiative". Emirates News Agency. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  17. ^ Iyer, Anita (3 January 2018). "Do you know who Sheikh Hamdan follows on Instagram?". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  18. ^ "Mohammed, Hamdan at the second day of Royal Ascot". Emirates 24/7. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  19. ^ "Longines FEI World Endurance Championships 2016 - Slovakia Welcomes Record 46 Nations". Fédération Équestre Internationale. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  20. ^ "Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed gets ready to retain World Equestrian Games title". The National. 17 September 2016. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  21. ^ "Everything that went down at the Dubai Royal Wedding this weekend". Emirates Woman. 16 June 2019. Archived from the original on 24 October 2019.
  22. ^ "Sheikh Hamdan married: Dubai Crown Prince and brothers celebrate their weddings". The National. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  23. ^ "Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan just got married". Esquireme. 16 May 2019.
  24. ^ "Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan, brothers get married". Zawya. 16 May 2019.
  25. ^ "UAE celebrates Hamdan, Maktoum, Ahmad weddings". Gulf News. 6 June 2019.
  26. ^ "The Sons of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum are Married! Here's Everything You Need to Know". Vogue. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  27. ^ "HH Sheikh Hamdan and His Brothers' Wedding Reception Date Has Been Revealed and It's Closer Than You Think". Vogue. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  28. ^ "Blog: An inside look at Al Maktoum royal wedding". Khaleej Times. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  29. ^ "Video, pictures: UAE celebrates royal wedding reception in Dubai". Gulf Business. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  30. ^ "Sheikh Hamdan welcomes twins Rashid and Sheikha into the world". The National. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  31. ^ "Photos: Dubai's Sheikh Hamdan becomes a father, welcomes twins". Khaleej Times. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  32. ^ Abdulla, Nasreen (25 February 2023). "Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan announces birth of third child". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  33. ^ "REAL DECRETO 893/2008" (PDF). Boletín Oficial del Estado. 27 May 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2021.

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