Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and two of his brothers were each married on Wednesday evening, with residents describing it as the "joy of the nation".
According to Dubai Media Office, the three sons of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, were wed in a private religious ceremony in the emirate.
On Thursday, the government media office confirmed that Sheikh Hamdan, 36, was married to Sheikha Sheikha bint Saeed bin Thani Al Maktoum, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, 35, married Sheikha Maryam bint Butti Al Maktoum and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, 32, married Sheikha Midya bint Dalmouj Al Maktoum.
The brothers, who share the same mother, Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma, had their Islamic wedding on Wednesday, when they signed an official marriage contract, but a wedding ceremony is expected to follow. It is not yet clear if it will be a public or private celebration.
Dubai residents described the news of the royal marriage as "joyful" for the whole country.
“This isn’t only happy news for Dubai, but the entire nation,” said Dubai resident Khadija Al Bastaki.
Amal Abdulla, 37, who speculated that the weddings might be held during Eid, said: “It is a joyous occasion for our leadership, Crown Prince, his siblings and for everyone. We are happier than you can imagine and feel like we are a part of it.
“It isn’t unusual for Dubai to come up with another wonderful surprise. We never expected this. We always knew that Sheikh Hamdan would be married, but never expected it to be all three [brothers].
"This is Dubai. We always do the unexpected.”
Aisha Al Falasi, 25, echoed the excitement of other Dubai residents.
“It isn’t just a personal joy but everyone’s and it came in the right moment.”
Muna Ahmed, 38, said she wished the brothers a happy union and had suspected for years that all three siblings would get married on the same day.
“No one believed me” she said.
“Our happiness is three fold today."
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, Vice Chairwoman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, offered her congratulations to the new couples, posting a picture of her brothers and wishing them happiness. "The nation is rejoiced," she said in the caption.
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Sheikh Hamdan through the years
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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed gestures as he wears a t-shirt bearing the logo of Dubai's 2020 World Expo campaign on top of Burj Khalifa on November 25, 2013. AFP -
Sheikh Hamdan volunteers in a Dubai marine-clean up drive. WAM -
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (left) speaks with Sheikh Hamdan in 2018. EPA -
Sheikh Hamdan rides his horse during an Equestrian Endurance Championship in Palmyra, 190 km northeast of Damascus in May 2000. AFP -
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed takes part in the men's heats of the Government Games in April 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Hamdan does a presentation on screen on day 2 at the World Government Summit at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai in February this year. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Hamdan receives Emirati astronauts Hazza Al Mansoori and Sultan Al Neyadi. Wam -
Sheikh Hamdan with the Dubai World Cup trophy after Thunder Snow's victory at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai in March. Pawan Singh / The National -
Sheikh Hamdan watches a performance of ‘This is Zayed, This is UAE' during the 47th UAE National Day celebrations, at Zayed Sports City in December, 2018. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Hamdan pictured during Al Marmoom Heritage Festival at the Al Marmoum Camel Racetrack on April 16, 2014 in Dubai. Getty Images -
Actor Damian Lewis and wife Helen McCrory present The Coventry Stakes trophy to Sheikh Hamdan during Royal Ascot 2015 in England. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse -
Sheikh Hamdan attends Cityscape Global at Dubai World Trade Centre on September 11, 2017. Getty Images -
Gold medalist Sheikh Hamdan celebrates on August 29, 2014 on the podium during the medal ceremony of the Individual Endurance competition of the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games, in the northwestern French city of Caen. AFP -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid speaks with his son Sheikh Hamdan during the opening session of Arab Media Forum in Dubai, on May 17, 2011. AFP -
Sheikh Hamdan and his team, F3, win first place at the Gov Games in Dubai in May 2018. The National -
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Meanwhile, social media was abuzz with congratulatory messages from the public and celebrities with users tweeting pictures and using the hashtag "the nation's happiness."
Famed Emirati singers Ahlam and Balquees Fathi each tweeted their congratulations and wished the couples a lifetimes of happiness.
Others shared photos of a young Sheikh Hamdan and his new wife, accompanied with prayers to God that they be blessed with a happy marriage.
