Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, is spending time in the UK this summer. Photo: @faz3 / Instagram
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, is spending time in the UK this summer. Photo: @faz3 / Instagram
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, is spending time in the UK this summer. Photo: @faz3 / Instagram
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, is spending time in the UK this summer. Photo: @faz3 / Instagram

Video of Sheikh Hamdan taking a selfie with Dubai residents in London goes viral


Farah Andrews
  • English
  • Arabic

A video of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, meeting with a group of Dubai residents in London is going viral.

The Dubai royal is in the UK for a summer break and took time out to meet the two fans, posing for selfies with them from the front seat of his car.

The video was posted by Ahmad Jaber Al Harbi, a friend and regular travel companion of the Crown Prince, and was captioned: "When a Dubai resident spotted @faz3 in #London".

"Please can I take a picture?" the excited fan asks Sheikh Hamdan, who instantly replies, "Yes, yes."

Sheikh Hamdan then helps the fan take the selfie, by focusing the shot on her iPhone.

The male fan, who is wearing a green and white football kit, then goes in for a selfie and says, "Sorry to bother you", and Sheikh Hamdan replies, "No, it's OK", and shakes his hand.

The Crown Prince traditionally spends time in the UK each summer.

Scroll through the gallery below to see Sheikh Hamdan at Royal Ascot

  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, attends Royal Ascot. All photos: @faz3 / Instagram
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, attends Royal Ascot. All photos: @faz3 / Instagram
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed at Royal Ascot.
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed at Royal Ascot.
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed attended the opening day of the event at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England.
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed attended the opening day of the event at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England.
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed at Ascot Racecourse.
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed at Ascot Racecourse.
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed with Prince Charles and Camilla.
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed with Prince Charles and Camilla.
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed at Royal Ascot.
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed at Royal Ascot.
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed at Royal Ascot.
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed at Royal Ascot.

In September 2021, a chance meeting between Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, on a London street went viral online.

Sheikh Hamdan was wearing a casual hooded top and chinos and kissed Sheikh Humaid on the forehead and said "marhaba al saa".

"I couldn't but stop when I saw you," he says in Arabic.

Sheikh Hamdan also embraces Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, president of the UAE Football Association. The encounter was near Selfridges department store in Oxford Street.

It was also from the UK that Sheikh Hamdan shared some of the earliest photos of his son, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan. The images, taken at the Godolphin stables in the UK, show the father and son interacting with star racing horse, Adayar.

Sheikh Hamdan shared the photos on Instagram and wrote: "Training and education should start early on. Rashid and Sheikha came to see Adayar and wish him the best!"

Sheikh Rashid and his twin sister, Sheikha Sheikha bint Hamdan, were born in May 2021.

In the first photo, the Crown Prince is holding his baby boy up close to Adayar, the Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2021 Epsom Derby.

In the relaxed photo, Sheikh Hamdan is wearing light grey jeans and a tan hooded jacket, with a green T-shirt visible. Sheikh Rashid is wrapped up in a teal onesie and fluffy blue coat, with a white and grey hat. The photo was taken on an overcast day in the UK.

In a second photo, he can be seen posing with his son in front of the Godolphin logo.

Sheikh Hamdan's travel adventures — in pictures

  • Sheikh Hamdan shared this picture of himself and his young son, Sheikh Rashid. Photo: Sheikh Hamdan / Instagram
    Sheikh Hamdan shared this picture of himself and his young son, Sheikh Rashid. Photo: Sheikh Hamdan / Instagram
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, playing with his grandchild on their summer holidays, shared by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. All photos: @faz3 / Instagram
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, playing with his grandchild on their summer holidays, shared by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. All photos: @faz3 / Instagram
  • Sheikh Mohammed playing with his grandson Rashid.
    Sheikh Mohammed playing with his grandson Rashid.
  • Sheikh Hamdan shared photos of himself, his family and friends shooting in Yorkshire.
    Sheikh Hamdan shared photos of himself, his family and friends shooting in Yorkshire.
  • Sheikh Hamdan rides the London Underground with close friend Badr Ateej.
    Sheikh Hamdan rides the London Underground with close friend Badr Ateej.
  • Sheikh Mohammed joined his son Sheikh Hamdan and his grandchildren on holiday this summer.
    Sheikh Mohammed joined his son Sheikh Hamdan and his grandchildren on holiday this summer.
  • Sheikh Hamdan visited the F3 Stables in the UK with his son Sheikh Rashid, 1.
    Sheikh Hamdan visited the F3 Stables in the UK with his son Sheikh Rashid, 1.
  • Sheikh Hamdan on day one of Royal Ascot in the UK.
    Sheikh Hamdan on day one of Royal Ascot in the UK.
  • An image shared to mark World Oceans Day.
    An image shared to mark World Oceans Day.
  • An image of Sheikh Hamdan scuba diving.
    An image of Sheikh Hamdan scuba diving.
  • Sheikh Hamdan preparing for the unpredictable weather during a trip to Scotland.
    Sheikh Hamdan preparing for the unpredictable weather during a trip to Scotland.
  • Sheikh Hamdan in the Maldives with the Indian Ocean in the background.
    Sheikh Hamdan in the Maldives with the Indian Ocean in the background.
  • Sheikh Hamdan takes tea on a visit to Mongolia.
    Sheikh Hamdan takes tea on a visit to Mongolia.
  • Sheikh Hamdan dressed for the cold weather during a visit to Switzerland.
    Sheikh Hamdan dressed for the cold weather during a visit to Switzerland.
  • Sheikh Hamdan cycles through the Yorkshire countryside in England.
    Sheikh Hamdan cycles through the Yorkshire countryside in England.
  • French Riviera views from a trip to Cannes.
    French Riviera views from a trip to Cannes.
  • Sheikh Hamdan makes his way through the snow in Azerbaijan.
    Sheikh Hamdan makes his way through the snow in Azerbaijan.
  • Sheikh Hamdan casts his eye over the rugged beauty in Iceland.
    Sheikh Hamdan casts his eye over the rugged beauty in Iceland.
  • Sheikh Hamdan takes a waterfall selfie in the Faroe Islands.
    Sheikh Hamdan takes a waterfall selfie in the Faroe Islands.
  • Sheikh Hamdan captures the view from the Willis Tower, once the tallest building in the world, with his uncle Saeed.
    Sheikh Hamdan captures the view from the Willis Tower, once the tallest building in the world, with his uncle Saeed.
ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
%3Cp%3EBy%202030%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%20aims%20to%20achieve%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%2039.3%20million%20visitors%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20nearly%2064%25%20up%20from%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%20Dh90%20billion%20contribution%20to%20GDP%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20about%2084%25%20more%20than%20Dh49%20billion%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%20178%2C000%20new%20jobs%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20bringing%20the%20total%20to%20about%20366%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%2052%2C000%20hotel%20rooms%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20up%2053%25%20from%2034%2C000%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%207.2%20million%20international%20visitors%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20almost%2090%25%20higher%20compared%20to%202023's%203.8%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%203.9%20international%20overnight%20hotel%20stays%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2022%25%20more%20from%203.2%20nights%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2019 Haval H6

Price, base: Dh69,900

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Company%20profile
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Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)

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Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)

The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.

Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)

Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.

Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)

Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.

Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)

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Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)

Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.

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1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.

2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.

3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.

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Manchester United 2 (Heaton (og) 42', Lindelof 64')

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Episode list:

Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery 

Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges 

Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic 

Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks 

Ep5: Travel and tourism 

Cracks in the Wall

Ben White, Pluto Press 

'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

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6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

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9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

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10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

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Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Updated: July 20, 2022, 9:27 AM