THE wife of Dubai’s ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has left him — and taken £31million to start a new life, it is understood.

Princess Haya, who had not been seen since February, is said to have fled to Germany with her son and daughter.

8 Princess Haya has reportedly left Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al-Maktoum out of fear for her safety Credit: AFP

8 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has reportedly written a furious letter denouncing his spouse's treachery and betrayal Credit: Getty Images - Getty

She is understood to have immediately requested asylum and filed for divorce from her husband.

But it has sparked a diplomatic crisis between Germany and the United Arab Emirates, where the Sheik is vice-president and prime minister as well as being the ruler of the city of Dubai.

He is said to have asked authorities in Berlin to return the princess, 45, son Zayed, seven, and daughter Al Jalila, 11, to the UAE.

But they have refused and security officials are said to be protecting her.

Princess Haya is said to have told friends she chose to flee to Germany as she “didn’t trust UK authorities to hand her back”. The Sheikh, 69, worth more than £9billion, is a keen racehorse owner.

But he missed this month’s Epsom Derby for the first time in 28 years. In days, two of his stables used to train showjump horses, near Newmarket, Suffolk, had shut.

A local source said: “Show jumping was her passion. She was always there, very hands on. Then one day she was gone.”

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Sheik Mohammed has denounced his wife in a rant on Instagram, accusing her of “betrayal”, adding: “Go to whom you get busy with!!!!!?”

It is another blow after it was claimed last year one of his daughters, Sheika Shamsa al-Maktoum, was being kept in Dubai.

She has not been seen since trying to flee the family’s £75million estate in Surrey in 2000, aged 19. Her family say she is “safe” in Dubai.

Dubai princess Sheikha Latifa and friend go missing after posting chilling YouTube video

8 Sheikh Mohammed reportedly wrote a letter branding his wife treacherous Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

8 Sheikh's daughter's Princess Latifa also tried to escape last year but mysteriously disappeared off the coast of Goa

8 The ruler of Dubai shaking hands with the Queen this year at the Royal Ascot races Credit: Doug Seeburg - The Sun

8 The Dubai princess is understood to have left her husband and sought asylum in Germany Credit: Getty - Contributor

8 The Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Haya during a royal tour of the UAE in 2016 Credit: Getty - Contributor

8 Princess Haya greets Prince Charles as he arrives in the country Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visit the ‘Maiden' yacht and meet with Princess Haya bint Hussein