Little Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor has a potential new playmate.
The Duchess of Sussex's close friend, designer Misha Nonoo, has welcomed her first child, and took to social media this week to reveal what it was like giving birth amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The Bahrain-born fashion star, 33, and her husband Mikey Hess welcomed Leo into the world at the end of March.
"Last time you heard from me, I was very pregnant, and I am excited to share that I am now the lucky mother to an adorable, healthy little boy," Nonoo said in a series of stories on her brand's Instagram page on Thursday.
The new mother, who married oil heir Hess in Rome last September, revealed that the realities of parenthood weren't exactly what she had expected.
"I thought that I had read every book and I was fully prepared for what it was going to look like to be a mum and to handle a newborn. It turns out that I don't think you're ever fully prepared for that."
She added: "But handling that on top of the coronavirus has been a lot to say the least."
Nonoo, who is long-rumoured to have been the woman who introduced Meghan Markle to Prince Harry, also opened up about the early lessons she's learnt about raising a child.
"I think it's really important to maintain a routine. We've just got the baby on a schedule, very early, but never too early to be on a schedule I've realised," she said.
"For me, it's been about maintaining my meditation. It's about going for a walk getting some sunshine and, you know, having FaceTime moments with friends. All of those things have been really, really helpful."
Nonoo, who has Iraqi and British heritage, first confirmed she was expecting her first child in January, creating a debut line of maternity wear.
The designer, who now lives in the US, has been friends with the Duchess of Sussex for years, since the former actress was on TV show Suits.
The two even collaborated on a capsule fashion collection for charity Smart Works, of which Meghan is a patron. The line consisted of workwear pieces, with profits going towards supporting the organisation, which helps underprivileged women secure employment.
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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
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
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
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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