• A young Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, with his brother, Sheikh Maktoum. All photos: Instagram / @faz3 (unless stated otherwise)
    A young Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, with his brother, Sheikh Maktoum. All photos: Instagram / @faz3 (unless stated otherwise)
  • Sheikh Hamdan looks ready for royal duty as a youngster
    Sheikh Hamdan looks ready for royal duty as a youngster
  • The Crown Prince posted old photos on his Instagram to celebrate his 40th birthday in 2022
    The Crown Prince posted old photos on his Instagram to celebrate his 40th birthday in 2022
  • Sheikh Hamdan as a child
    Sheikh Hamdan as a child
  • A young Sheikh Hamdan showing his playful side
    A young Sheikh Hamdan showing his playful side
  • The young sheikh with his father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai
    The young sheikh with his father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai
  • Sheikh Hamdan with UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
    Sheikh Hamdan with UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
  • A young Sheikh Hamdan shares a laugh with his father
    A young Sheikh Hamdan shares a laugh with his father
  • Watching camel racing as a child
    Watching camel racing as a child
  • As an adult, Sheikh Hamdan is popularly known as Fazza, the name under which he publishes his poetry
    As an adult, Sheikh Hamdan is popularly known as Fazza, the name under which he publishes his poetry
  • He often shares photos of his childhood on social media
    He often shares photos of his childhood on social media
  • A screenshot from a video posted by Sheikh Hamdan for Sheikh Mohammed on Father's Day
    A screenshot from a video posted by Sheikh Hamdan for Sheikh Mohammed on Father's Day
  • Sheikh Hamdan skiing as a child
    Sheikh Hamdan skiing as a child
  • Sheikh Rashid, left, and Sheikh Hamdan with Miss Lebanon 1998 Joelle Behlok at Dubai World Cup in 2000. AFP
    Sheikh Rashid, left, and Sheikh Hamdan with Miss Lebanon 1998 Joelle Behlok at Dubai World Cup in 2000. AFP
  • Sheikh Hamdan during a falconry trip in Uzbekistan
    Sheikh Hamdan during a falconry trip in Uzbekistan
  • Flying a kite
    Flying a kite
  • Sheikh Hamdan in Yorkshire
    Sheikh Hamdan in Yorkshire
  • Sheikh Hamdan posts a photo of him riding the Tube in London and going unrecognised
    Sheikh Hamdan posts a photo of him riding the Tube in London and going unrecognised
  • Having tea in Mongolia
    Having tea in Mongolia
  • Sheikh Hamdan with King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla
    Sheikh Hamdan with King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla
  • The Crown Prince of Dubai shared a picture with his twins, Rashid and Shaikha, taken right after they were born, to mark their first birthday on May 20, 2022
    The Crown Prince of Dubai shared a picture with his twins, Rashid and Shaikha, taken right after they were born, to mark their first birthday on May 20, 2022
  • Sheikh Hamdan with footballer Cristiano Ronaldo at SushiSamba in Dubai
    Sheikh Hamdan with footballer Cristiano Ronaldo at SushiSamba in Dubai
  • Taking a solo flight above the desert
    Taking a solo flight above the desert
  • Clicking a selfie at Expo 2020
    Clicking a selfie at Expo 2020
  • Striking a pose during his holiday in Yorkshire
    Striking a pose during his holiday in Yorkshire
  • Taking part in the Dubai Run on Sheikh Zayed Road, during Dubai Fitness Challenge
    Taking part in the Dubai Run on Sheikh Zayed Road, during Dubai Fitness Challenge
  • The Crown Prince of Dubai is a keen shutterbug; seen here during a trip to the Isle of May in Scotland
    The Crown Prince of Dubai is a keen shutterbug; seen here during a trip to the Isle of May in Scotland
  • A shot from his skiing holiday on Instagram
    A shot from his skiing holiday on Instagram
  • Sheikh Hamdan in Japan
    Sheikh Hamdan in Japan
  • The classic Leaning Tower of Pisa shot
    The classic Leaning Tower of Pisa shot
  • Out for a walk in New York City
    Out for a walk in New York City
  • Participating in the Dubai Ride Challenge. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Participating in the Dubai Ride Challenge. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • During training at Royal Military College, Sandhurst in the UK
    During training at Royal Military College, Sandhurst in the UK
  • With one of the sea turtles he helped release into the wild
    With one of the sea turtles he helped release into the wild
  • Sheikh Hamdan posted a video on Instagram showing him wing-walking over the city
    Sheikh Hamdan posted a video on Instagram showing him wing-walking over the city
  • Sheikh Hamdan at the Government Summit in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Sheikh Hamdan at the Government Summit in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Touring Bustanica, the world’s largest vertical farm in Dubai. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Touring Bustanica, the world’s largest vertical farm in Dubai. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • At the Dubai Metaverse Assembly at Museum of the Future. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    At the Dubai Metaverse Assembly at Museum of the Future. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Sheikh Hamdan is passionate about poetry. WAM
    Sheikh Hamdan is passionate about poetry. WAM
  • Sheikh Hamdan launching the Dubai Future Experts Programme in 2020
    Sheikh Hamdan launching the Dubai Future Experts Programme in 2020

Sheikh Hamdan at 41: Crown Prince of Dubai celebrates birthday with throwback photos


  • English
  • Arabic

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, is celebrating his 41st birthday on Tuesday.

Sheikh Hamdan, popularly known as Fazza, has been Crown Prince since 2008.

On his birthday, he reposted photos shared by his family members on Instagram Stories.

Sheikh Hamdan also shared a photo of him kissing one of his children.

In May 2021, he became a father, welcoming twins Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan and Sheikha Sheikha bint Hamdan with his wife, Sheikha Sheikha bint Saeed. They welcomed a third child, a baby boy named Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamdan, in February.

Sheikh Hamdan stands on top of the Burj Khalifa. AFP
Sheikh Hamdan stands on top of the Burj Khalifa. AFP

Known for his adventurous side, Sheikh Hamdan often completes adrenalin-pumping activities such as skydiving, free diving and scaling Burj Khalifa.

In summer, he shared a video of himself conquering the perilous Half Dome hike in Yosemite National Park in California. Rising more than 1,500 metres above Yosemite Valley and 2,682 metres above sea level, Half Dome is one of the most challenging hikes in Yosemite.

His passion for fitness also led to the creation of Dubai Fitness Challenge in 2017. The month-long annual event, which is under way at the moment, aims to transform Dubai into one of the world's most active cities by encouraging everyone to commit to doing physical activity for 30 minutes a day for 30 days. Free citywide activities have been launched for everyone, irrespective of their age or fitness levels.

He regularly takes part in the Dubai Fitness Challenge, including the flagship Dubai Run, which is on November 26 this year.

Sheikh Hamdan took part in the Dubai Run last year. Photo: Dubai Media Office
Sheikh Hamdan took part in the Dubai Run last year. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Hamdan is also known for his love of animals, his forward-thinking nature and his passion for the country. He has a loyal social media following, as well as countless celebrity friends.

He has shared several glimpses into fatherhood with his 16 million Instagram followers, including introducing his children to his beloved horses at F3 Stables during a summer trip to the UK and taking them for a bike ride alongside his father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

  • Sheikh Hamdan shared a series of old family photos on Instagram, including this one with UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. All photos: @faz3
    Sheikh Hamdan shared a series of old family photos on Instagram, including this one with UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. All photos: @faz3
  • In this childhood photo, Sheikh Hamdan and his brother, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, hold a camel racing trophy.
    In this childhood photo, Sheikh Hamdan and his brother, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, hold a camel racing trophy.
  • A young Sheikh Hamdan stands with Zayed Hamdan.
    A young Sheikh Hamdan stands with Zayed Hamdan.
  • Sheikh Hamdan's father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, greets him through the car window.
    Sheikh Hamdan's father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, greets him through the car window.
  • Sheikh Hamdan gets a smile from Sheikh Zayed.
    Sheikh Hamdan gets a smile from Sheikh Zayed.
  • A young Sheikh Hamdan stands with his father.
    A young Sheikh Hamdan stands with his father.
  • Sheikh Hamdan sits with his father in the front of a car.
    Sheikh Hamdan sits with his father in the front of a car.
  • Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan watch the camel racing.
    Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan watch the camel racing.
  • A black-and-white snap of Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan.
    A black-and-white snap of Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan.
  • Sheikh Hamdan in a brown suede jacket.
    Sheikh Hamdan in a brown suede jacket.

Sheikh Hamdan often shares throwbacks to his childhood on Instagram too, stressing the importance of family to him. From ski trips to desert adventures, his feed is full of nostalgic childhood memories from the UAE and afar.

His devotion to his family and siblings is also clear from his social media posts, while he frequently praises his father Sheikh Mohammed both as a ruler and a mentor.

He has also spoken publicly about the death of his brother, Sheikh Rashid, from a heart attack at 33, paying tribute to him on the anniversary of his passing.

Education

Sheikh Hamdan received his elementary education at Rashid Private School in Dubai. He then followed his father for officer training in the UK, graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2001, a few months before his 20th birthday.

The experience, Sheikh Hamdan said in a 2012 interview with a Dubai magazine, “showed me the importance of self-discipline, commitment, virtue, responsibility, endurance, understanding, teamwork and friendship … and the benefits of hard work".

After Sandhurst, the Crown Prince continued his education at the London School of Economics. “Continuing my studies overseas was important,” he said in the same interview. “It provided me with new skills and taught me how to apply them.”

Four years later, Sheikh Hamdan assumed his first official position, as Chairman of Dubai’s Executive Council in September 2006. Two years later, he was named by Sheikh Mohammed as Crown Prince of Dubai, an appointment that added more responsibilities and his own staff and office.

Why do many call Sheikh Hamdan 'Fazza'?

Like his father, Sheikh Hamdan writes poetry, which he sometimes shares online.

Fazza means "a person who speeds to the help and support of others". From the Emirati dialect, it's a term often used in Nabati poetry, which is a common art form in the UAE.

Sheikh Hamdan has described his poetry as "my identity and poetic character through which I humbly attempt to rekindle joy in the hearts of people, alleviate their suffering in my own simple way. I express their hopes and aspirations".

Villains
Queens of the Stone Age
Matador

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Match info

Arsenal 0

Manchester City 2
Sterling (14'), Bernardo Silva (64')

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

While you're here
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Types of policy

Term life insurance: this is the cheapest and most-popular form of life cover. You pay a regular monthly premium for a pre-agreed period, typically anything between five and 25 years, or possibly longer. If you die within that time, the policy will pay a cash lump sum, which is typically tax-free even outside the UAE. If you die after the policy ends, you do not get anything in return. There is no cash-in value at any time. Once you stop paying premiums, cover stops.

Whole-of-life insurance: as its name suggests, this type of life cover is designed to run for the rest of your life. You pay regular monthly premiums and in return, get a guaranteed cash lump sum whenever you die. As a result, premiums are typically much higher than one term life insurance, although they do not usually increase with age. In some cases, you have to keep up premiums for as long as you live, although there may be a cut-off period, say, at age 80 but it can go as high as 95. There are penalties if you don’t last the course and you may get a lot less than you paid in.

Critical illness cover: this pays a cash lump sum if you suffer from a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease or stroke. Some policies cover as many as 50 different illnesses, although cancer triggers by far the most claims. The payout is designed to cover major financial responsibilities such as a mortgage or children’s education fees if you fall ill and are unable to work. It is cost effective to combine it with life insurance, with the policy paying out once if you either die or suffer a serious illness.

Income protection: this pays a replacement income if you fall ill and are unable to continue working. On the best policies, this will continue either until you recover, or reach retirement age. Unlike critical illness cover, policies will typically pay out for stress and musculoskeletal problems such as back trouble.

THE BIG THREE

NOVAK DJOKOVIC
19 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 5 (2011, 14, 15, 18, 19)
French Open: 2 (2016, 21)
US Open: 3 (2011, 15, 18)
Australian Open: 9 (2008, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
Prize money: $150m

ROGER FEDERER
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 8 (2003, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 12, 17)
French Open: 1 (2009)
US Open: 5 (2004, 05, 06, 07, 08)
Australian Open: 6 (2004, 06, 07, 10, 17, 18)
Prize money: $130m

RAFAEL NADAL
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 10)
French Open: 13 (2005, 06, 07, 08, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20)
US Open: 4 (2010, 13, 17, 19)
Australian Open: 1 (2009)
Prize money: $125m

%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Sui Dhaaga: Made in India

Director: Sharat Katariya

Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav

3.5/5

The Cockroach

 (Vintage)

Ian McEwan 
 

FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Celta Vigo 2
Castro (45'), Aspas (82')

Barcelona 2
Dembele (36'), Alcacer (64')

Red card: Sergi Roberto (Barcelona)

SPEC%20SHEET
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M2%2C%208-core%20GPU%2C%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.3-inch%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201600%2C%20227ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%3B%20Touch%20Bar%20with%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206%2C%20Bluetooth%205.0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2058.2Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2020%20hours%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20720p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%2C%20ProRes%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Stereo%20speakers%20with%20HDR%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20support%2C%20Dolby%20support%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Pro%2C%2067W%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C%20cable%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh5%2C499%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

THE SPECS

Engine: 4.4-litre V8

Transmission: Automatic

Power: 530bhp 

Torque: 750Nm 

Price: Dh535,000

On sale: Now

Global institutions: BlackRock and KKR

US-based BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager, with $5.98 trillion of assets under management as of the end of last year. The New York firm run by Larry Fink provides investment management services to institutional clients and retail investors including governments, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, banks and charitable foundations around the world, through a variety of investment vehicles.

KKR & Co, or Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, is a global private equity and investment firm with around $195 billion of assets as of the end of last year. The New York-based firm, founded by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, invests in multiple alternative asset classes through direct or fund-to-fund investments with a particular focus on infrastructure, technology, healthcare, real estate and energy.

 

Tributes from the UAE's personal finance community

• Sebastien Aguilar, who heads SimplyFI.org, a non-profit community where people learn to invest Bogleheads’ style

“It is thanks to Jack Bogle’s work that this community exists and thanks to his work that many investors now get the full benefits of long term, buy and hold stock market investing.

Compared to the industry, investing using the common sense approach of a Boglehead saves a lot in costs and guarantees higher returns than the average actively managed fund over the long term. 

From a personal perspective, learning how to invest using Bogle’s approach was a turning point in my life. I quickly realised there was no point chasing returns and paying expensive advisers or platforms. Once money is taken care off, you can work on what truly matters, such as family, relationships or other projects. I owe Jack Bogle for that.”

• Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International

"Thought to have saved investors over a trillion dollars, Jack Bogle’s ideas truly changed the way the world invests. Shaped by his own personal experiences, his philosophy and basic rules for investors challenged the status quo of a self-interested global industry and eventually prevailed.  Loathed by many big companies and commission-driven salespeople, he has transformed the way well-informed investors and professional advisers make decisions."

• Demos Kyprianou, a board member of SimplyFI.org

"Jack Bogle for me was a rebel, a revolutionary who changed the industry and gave the little guy like me, a chance. He was also a mentor who inspired me to take the leap and take control of my own finances."

• Steve Cronin, founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com

"Obsessed with reducing fees, Jack Bogle structured Vanguard to be owned by its clients – that way the priority would be fee minimisation for clients rather than profit maximisation for the company.

His real gift to us has been the ability to invest in the stock market (buy and hold for the long term) rather than be forced to speculate (try to make profits in the shorter term) or even worse have others speculate on our behalf.

Bogle has given countless investors the ability to get on with their life while growing their wealth in the background as fast as possible. The Financial Independence movement would barely exist without this."

• Zach Holz, who blogs about financial independence at The Happiest Teacher

"Jack Bogle was one of the greatest forces for wealth democratisation the world has ever seen.  He allowed people a way to be free from the parasitical "financial advisers" whose only real concern are the fat fees they get from selling you over-complicated "products" that have caused millions of people all around the world real harm.”

• Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.org

"In an industry that’s synonymous with greed, Jack Bogle was a lone wolf, swimming against the tide. When others were incentivised to enrich themselves, he stood by the ‘fiduciary’ standard – something that is badly needed in the financial industry of the UAE."

RESULTS

ATP China Open
G Dimitrov (BUL x3) bt R Bautista Agut (ESP x5)
7-6, 4-6, 6-2
R Nadal (ESP x1) bt J Isner (USA x6)
6-4, 7-6

WTA China Open
S Halep (ROU x2) bt D Kasatkina (RUS)
6-2, 6-1
J Ostapenko (LAT x9) bt S Cirstea (ROU)
6-4, 6-4

ATP Japan Open
D Schwartzman (ARG x8) bt S Johnson (USA)
6-0, 7-5
D Goffin (BEL x4) bt R Gasquet (FRA)
7-5, 6-2
M Cilic (CRO x1) bt R Harrison (USA)
6-2, 6-0

Updated: November 14, 2023, 8:46 AM