The legal battle between Princess Haya bint-al-Hussein and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has ramifications not only for Dubai but Britain’s relations with the emirate

“Discover all that’s possible”, urges Dubai’s tourism website, encouraging visitors to escape to the city state for a sun-soaked holiday. What appears to be impossible, or at least very difficult, is to escape from Dubai if you happen to be a female member of the royal family.

This week the estranged sixth wife of Dubai’s ruler asked the High Court in London for an order that would protect her child from being forced into marriage, months after fleeing her husband’s country — the third royal princess to attempt to escape from the sumptuous and secretive palaces of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.

The legal battle between Princess Haya bint al-Hussein, 45, daughter of the late king of Jordan, and the 70-year-old sheikh is shining an