![THE REBEL PRINCESS](https://cdn.magzter.com/1359122596/1722503517/articles/-2llD-Z_c1722514095759/THE-REBEL-PRINCESS.jpg)
THE wedding had all the components of a fairytale: a beautiful bride in a diamond-encrusted gown, a handsome groom, a venue adorned with hundreds of snowy white roses and a towering seven-tier cake sliced into with a ceremonial sword.
The who's who of Dubai witnessed the joining together of Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid AI Maktoum and Sheikh Mana bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mana AI Maktoum, who's also of noble descent, and everyone believed it would be a marriage made in royal heaven.
But barely a year later it has all fallen apart and all that's left of the seemingly picture-perfect union is bitterness and scandal.
Instead of an official palace statement announcing the demise of the relationship, the princess declared it was over in a rather modern way: on Instagram. And the message she posted was dripping with suggestion that her husband had strayed far from the marital bed.
“Dear husband, as you are preoccupied with other companions, I hereby declare our divorce. I divorce you, I divorce you, and I Divorce you. Take care. Your ex-wife.”
News of the split came like a bolt from the blue, especially as Mahra had only just welcomed their first child, a daughter, in May. And the triple talaq, a spoken proclamation of divorce in Islamic law, isn’t usually used by women.
Mahra (30) – the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai – is the latest princess from the emirate to publicly challenge life in the kingdom.
Her sisters, Princess Latifa and Princess Shamsa, previously attempted to flee the Middle East in search of freedom in the West but were captured and forcibly returned to Dubai.
Mahra’s social media post quickly went viral and many people praised her bravery others, however, questioned the legitimacy of the divorce.
This story is from the 8 August 2024 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 8 August 2024 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![PUSHED TO THE LIMIT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1814753/NFMnwIIjL1725023117733/PUSHED-TO-THE-LIMIT.jpg)
PUSHED TO THE LIMIT
The unusual relationship between an heiress and her husband has taken a sinister twist
![HOW TO MAKE A SUPERBABY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1814753/Ug-xhuam91725022853294/HOW-TO-MAKE-A-SUPERBABY.jpg)
HOW TO MAKE A SUPERBABY
Noor Siddiqui says her company can test embryos for hundreds of conditions from diabetes to Alzheimer's. Critics call it social engineering but she insists she's just giving prospective parents the means to avoid a lot of future heartache
![THE GROWN-UP BRAIN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1814753/tEXlfEaL71725022737134/THE-GROWNUP-BRAIN.jpg)
THE GROWN-UP BRAIN
If you think your brain deteriorates as you age, think again!
![THE eyes HAVE IT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1814753/u203m7cyA1725022593295/THE-EYES-HAVE-IT.jpg)
THE eyes HAVE IT
They're the windows to our soul - and the first place to show the stresses of everyday life. Juliette Winter reveals expert tips to de-puff, brighten and smooth this delicate area
![WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1814753/XRIvw63nZ1725021693026/WERE-IN-THIS-TOGETHER.jpg)
WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER
It hasn't been an easy road but now this bodybuilding couple are making waves in the industry
![I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1814753/ICKCDTDOl1725021448075/I-CANT-WAIT-FOR-SUMMER.jpg)
I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!
Annetjie's about to get effective treatment for the skin condition that has blighted her life and she's looking forward to hitting the shops and facing the world
!['SHE NO THREAT TO ANYONE'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1814753/uo9QYNs7u1725020950540/SHE-NO-THREAT-TO-ANYONE.jpg)
'SHE NO THREAT TO ANYONE'
When SA boxer Chris van Heerden's Russian girlfriend went to visit her parents she was thrown in jail and accused of treasonnow he's in a fight to free her
![SUNK IN 16 MINUTES!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1814753/JSQMdcpr31725020774549/SUNK-IN-16-MINUTES.jpg)
SUNK IN 16 MINUTES!
A sun-drenched holiday turned into a living nightmare for those aboard this luxury vessel
![READY TO SMILE AGAIN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1814753/u16N97yNj1725020611109/READY-TO-SMILE-AGAIN.jpg)
READY TO SMILE AGAIN
A groundbreaking surgical procedure will restore this Limpopo teen's badly damaged jaw and teeth
![HARRY AT A CROSSROADS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1814753/2uskEIjpB1725020298703/HARRY-AT-A-CROSSROADS.jpg)
HARRY AT A CROSSROADS
As the prince turns 40, royal experts paint a picture of a troubled soul- isolated, homesick and struggling to find a purpose in life