It’s well known that Dubai’s got some pretty cool rulers (pictures of our royalty on the London Underground hardly go viral for no reason, after all).
In particular, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and his wife, HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, have won over the world’s media with their actions – whether it’s sending aid to Haiti on a private plane or inspiring local schoolchildren.
However when they’re not out and about at events, meetings, openings, or planning the future of the country, they’re just like any other parents.
Here are some of our favourite family moments from Sheikh Mohammed and Princess Haya:
1. They do the school run.
In an interview on The Kris Fade Show, HRH Princess Haya said: “We’re up around 6.15am to 6.30am, the kids are up and ready to go to school. We have breakfast together when we can and either myself or His Highness try to do the school run.”
The couple are truly keeping it real – and we also love their co-ordinating number plates:
2. They visit their kids at school.
Sheikh Mohammed and Princess Haya paid a visit to their daughter Al Jalila Al Maktoum’s classroom at Kings’ School Dubai in celebration of World Teacher’s Day.
The pair mingled with pupils and posed for plenty of photos:
Read:
HRH Princess Haya: Never-Before Seen Pictures & Quotes
Princess Haya Personally Delivers Aid To Haiti
Princess Haya Opens Women’s Only Hospital
10 Moments Sheikh Mohammed And Princess Haya Were The Perfect Couple
3. Sheikh Mohammed teaches his kids about their heritage.
On the royal’s Instagram account (the fact he even has one proves him to be a pretty cool dad), he can be seen with his kids enjoying the great outdoors, practicing falconry and learning how to cook Bedouin-style meals in the desert.
4. They believe children have much to offer the world.
“Children brought up in a loving environment have much to offer the world… Concentrating on making their lives better is something I really want to draw light to,” said Princess Haya in an exclusive interview with Emirates Woman.
HRH Princess Haya visits the family village, a home for orphaned children in Dubai.
Read:
Sheikh Mohammed Pledges Dhs73 Million To Educate Children In Conflict Zones
Sheikh Mohammed Reflects On The UAE’s Past Decade
Sheikh Mohammed Meets With Pope Francis In The Vatican
Is Sheikh Mohammed The Most Accessible Royal In The World?
5. Princess Haya cares about the health of the UAE’s children.
“Last year it was reported that almost 20 per cent of the UAE population suffer from diabetes and that the obesity rate in the UAE is double the world average,” she also told Emirates Woman. “Education is critical. We need to create an environment that encourages people – especially young children – to adopt long-term healthy eating behaviours and exercise regularly.”
A three-year-old HRH Princess Haya (right) is today the spitting image of her late mother HM Queen Alia of Jordan.
6. Sheikh Mohammed loves showing his kids the great outdoors.
The ruler can be seen frequently showing his children how to ride horses, or taking a father-son stroll through the mangroves.
Look at Al Jalila go – a talent for equestrian sports clearly runs in the family:
7. They love taking selfies with their young ones
Like most parents, the royals’ photo streams are probably full with pictures of their kids. We particularly love this snap of Princess Haya en route to IMG World Of Adventures with her family:
8. They get emotional on the first day of school
Princess Haya revealed that Zayed and Al Jalila were “full of excitement and curiosity” when term started a few weeks ago.
في طريقنا وخلال زيارتنا مع صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن راشد ال مكتوم إلى أي إم جي أكبر وجهة ترفيهية للعائلات. مبروك لمجموعة إلياس ومصطفى كلداري على هذا اﻹنجاز العظيم. يا له من مكان رائع للأطفال من جميع الأعمار حيث المرح لا ينتهي On the way and during our visit with HH Sheikh Mohammed to Dubai’s newly opened IMG Theme Park. Congratulations to the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group on this incredible achievement. What an amazing place for kids of all ages – so much fun to be had!
A photo posted by Haya Bint Al Hussein (@hrhprincesshaya) on
Images: Motivate Publishing, Instagram/@hhshkmohd, @hayabintalhussein
