Crown Prince of Dubai– Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, affectionately known as Fazza, is not the richest royal in terms of wealth but is undoubtedly a tough one to beat in terms of experiences! With a not-so-overwhelming net worth of $400 million and an impressive family worth of $5 billion, the 40-year-old Emirati royal showcases immense talent as an equestrian, poet, and politician. Let’s delve into the multi-faceted personality of the Crown Prince of Dubai, that will undoubtedly put superheroes to shame-
Early life and education-
The father of twins, Maktoum, was provided with a princely education. Like his equestrian older brother Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed, Fazza’s academic career began at the prestigious Rashid School for Boys in Nad Al Sheba. Later, he moved to the UK to attend Sandhurst – a top training college for British military officers, followed by the London School of Economics. He has been Crown Prince of Dubai since 2008 after his brother Sheikh Rashid, died suddenly of a heart attack in 2015, aged 33.
He is insta famous-
Being the crown prince of a dazzling destination like Dubai can be reason enough to have a massive social media following. But that’s hardly the case here. The Crown Prince’s Instagram account has more than 15 million followers, more than the population of the UAE (The UAE population in 2022 is 10.08 million).
His account flaunts an incredible lifestyle with ample doses of adventure, luxury, and hobbies, such as animals, poetry, sports, and photography with several million likes and views.
He is a published poet-
The Dubai crown prince uses the ancient ‘Nabati’ style to write poems. He publishes his poems under the pseudonym of ‘Fazza,’ meaning the one who helps. The Emirati prince released an 18-poem collection called For the Love of Horses in 2019, combining his expressions with his equestrian interests. Sheikh Hamdan has described his poetry as “my identity and poetic character through which I humbly attempt to rekindle the joy in the hearts of people, alleviate their suffering in my own simple way. I express their hopes and aspirations”.
He resides in an enormous $2 billion residence, the Zabeel Palace-
Built in 1963, the Zabeel Palace is a 1.5 million square feet official residence of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and his family. An impressive feat of design and architecture, this larger-than-life dwelling of the Dubai royal family flaunts 22-carat gold accents, 200 chandeliers, and marble imported from 13 different countries. The Crown Prince is a well-known animal lover, which explains why his home boasts a private zoo packed with exotic animals, including tigers, lions, giraffes, and elephants.
The $2 billion Zabeel Palace also includes a helicopter pad, a stable with over 200 horses, and a collection of luxury cars that would make the even the most deep pocketed afficiando jealous. The 40 year old is known to have an incredible collection of automobiles that include the Ferrari La-Ferrari, Lamborghini Veneno Roadster, Aston Martin One77, McLaren P1 along with a number of G-Wagens and Rolls Royces. Middle Eastern royals are known for their penchant for art. The extravagant abode boards an excellent art collection, including works by famous artists like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Auguste Rodin.
His wedding in 2019 was a magnum opus-
The grand wedding of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to Sheikha Shaikha bint Saeed bin Thani Al Maktoum was the stuff of dreams. On the same day, his brothers, Maktoum and Ahmad, also got married at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Rizwan Sajan, founder, and chairman of Danube Group, said, “Occasions are rare – and almost once in a lifetime – when a prosperous nation celebrates three royal weddings on the same day. This day is a celebration of not only three royal unions, but the celebration of success of a country in which nationals of over 200 countries join their Emirati brothers and sisters in celebration. This is a perfect Eid gift from the Dubai royal family and adds to the Eid celebrations.”
The three-day celebration was a showcase of Emirati culture and traditions. The lavish reception was attended by over 20,000 people, enthralled by a stunning display of fireworks, music, and entertainment.
A fleet of gigantic superyachts for a prodigal prince-
The Al Maktoum family owns many yachts, including Dubawi and the Silver Yacht Smeralda. But it is the Crown Prince’s personal collection of luxury vessels that’s genuinely impressive.
A fleet of cars is passe; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum owns a fleet of superyachts like the iconic $400 million Dubai yacht, $200 million Quattroelle, $80 million Moonlight II yacht, and $30 million Majesty, among others. Sheikh Rashid, aka Fazza, the poet, is equally, if not more, passionate about yachting, and his collection of luxurious vessels reflects his love for the sea and the finer things in life.
An out-an-out animal-lover!
In addition to having a personal zoo in his $2 billion residence, the professional horseback rider (multiple world champion at the World Equestrian Games) owns over 200 horses and 16 beautiful camels, bought from a camel beauty pageant in 2008.
The Emirati royal owns a private falconry with a falcon hospital and control room inside. It is a testament to his passion for animals and his commitment to their well-being. It is believed he also owns several exotic mammals, rare birds, and astonishing animals cared for by a team of dedicated animal handlers who ensure that they are well-fed, healthy, and happy.
The Chairman of the Dubai executive council is a thrill-seeker-
Putting the super in superhuman is the Crown Prince of Dubai’s unending list of prowess and aptitudes. One man may not have it all, but Fazza seems like the man who has undoubtedly tried it all. From spearfishing, cycling, ziplining, snowboarding, horseriding, deep sea diving, and skydiving (he’s a semi-professional skydiver), there is literally nothing he hasn’t done!
Fazza garnered much attention over his stunt of scaling the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa. He took a picture of himself standing on the tip of the spire while waving the UAE flag a few days after the World Expo 2020 win.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is an enigmatic personality who can be a daredevil and a doting dad with equal ease. The man can seem brawny as he scales peaks and attempt adrenaline-pumping stunts, and the same man comes across as sentimental, writing poetry and caring for animals. He is, after all, a ruler a lot like Dubai!
