Earlier this week, news broke that Princess Haya had fled the UAE with her two young children and sought political asylum in the UK.

She is reportedly trying to divorce her husband, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

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A dramatic international custody battle is brewing between Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and one of his wives, Princess Haya, after the latter fled the UAE with their two young kids and sought political asylum in the UK.

It's a shocking development, as Princess Haya is the most prominent of the sheik's six wives, a fixture by his side in public life.

Continue to read more about the princess' childhood, her marriage to the sheikh, and the events that led up to her escape from the UAE.