Qatari royals and their superyachts, often described as floating palaces, always become the talk of the town thanks to their unmatched size, grandeur, and beauty. The case was no different with former Qatari prime minister Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani, who sailed into Palma aboard his $100 million Oceanco-built masterpiece, Yasmine of the Sea. While many talking points are plain to see, what doesn’t meet the eye is the spectacular fact that Yasmine of the Sea has a twin
The near-identical sister ship, Constellation, belongs to Sheikh Abdullah’s half-brother and is part of the Al Thani fleet. In both cases, the royal-owned Oceanco superyachts remain shrouded in secrecy, with no details of the flamboyant interiors revealed in more than two decades since Yasmine of the Sea was delivered in 2001. Still in shipshape, the 1,737 GT vessel looks sharp as a shark, featuring exterior design by The A Group and interiors by The A Group and Camillo Costantini.
The four-decker is powered by 2 MTU engines, boasting a top speed of 24 knots. The grand vessel features a master suite, four VIP suites, and seven guest cabins, offering plenty of room for the many members of the royal family. As far as destinations are concerned, Palma’s harbors continue to be a favored stop among Qatar’s royal family, serving as a magnet for some of the world’s most luxurious yachts.
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim’s $300 million Al Mirqab is frequently seen in Palma and Club de Mar. Similarly, the former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa’s colossal $400 million Katara yacht was often sighted in the Bay of Palma, as was the current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad’s megayacht $500 million Al Lusail.
A royal equestrian with a love for the sea-
The 67 year old Shaikh Abdullah is a celebrated figure in Qatar’s political scene. He served as prime minister of Qatar from 1996 to 2007. The Sandhurst-trained senior Al Thani royal chairs QIPCO Holding, a conglomerate with interests in construction, industrial services, real estate, and finance. An avid equestrian, he owns several racehorses and a horse farm called Umm Qarn, spread across a massive 580 acres. The horses may have his heart on land, but at sea this royal has been sailing for over two decades aboard his $100 million superyacht, spending at least $10 million annually maintaining his pleasure craft. The ship is currently cruising in the waters of Mallorca, according to MarineTraffic.
