The Modern Prince: Inside the Extraordinary Life of Sheikh Hamdan (Fazza)

From skydiving over the Palm to shaping the future of Dubai, the untold story of the royal who broke the mold.

By [Foodsuse] Team | Updated January 2026

The wind roars at 120 miles per hour as a figure leaps from a plane, plummeting toward the futuristic skyline of Dubai. He isn’t a stuntman or a Hollywood actor. He is Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, and likely the most adventurous royal the world has ever seen.

To his 16 million Instagram followers, he is simply “Fazza”—the adrenaline junkie who scales the Burj Khalifa, dives with sharks, and writes sensitive poetry under the desert stars. But strip away the viral videos and the glossy photos, and you find a man carrying the weight of a nation on his shoulders. As the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, he is the architect of Dubai’s future, balancing the ancient traditions of his Bedouin ancestors with the demands of the AI revolution.

Who is the man behind the sunglasses? How does a prince worth billions raise his children? And what is the truth about his private love life? This is the definitive story of Sheikh Hamdan—the prince the world can’t stop watching.

👑 The Boy from Zabeel Palace: Early Life & Roots

Born on November 14, 1982, in the Zabeel Palace, Sheikh Hamdan was not the eldest son, but he was destined for greatness. He is the second son of the visionary Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and his senior wife, Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum.

Growing up, Hamdan was not allowed to simply rely on his title. His father, known for his relentless work ethic, raised him with a specific philosophy: “Leaders are not born; they are made.”

• The School of Kings: His primary education was at the Rashid School for Boys, where he was treated like any other student.

• Military Discipline: In 2001, he graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK. This is the same grueling academy that trained Prince William and Prince Harry. Hamdan credits Sandhurst for stripping away his ego, stating, “It taught me that discipline, commitment, and responsibility are not just words—they are a way of life.”

• The Financial Mind: He later attended the London School of Economics (LSE), mastering the complex financial systems he would one day oversee as the head of a global economic hub.

🇦🇪 The Crown Prince: A New Era of Leadership

On February 1, 2008, the course of Dubai’s history changed when Sheikh Hamdan was appointed the Crown Prince of Dubai, succeeding his late brother, Sheikh Rashid.

While many royals are mere figureheads, Fazza is a CEO-prince. He heads the Dubai Executive Council, the body responsible for the city’s strategic growth. If you use the Dubai Metro, see the city become paperless, or watch flying taxi tests—you are watching Sheikh Hamdan’s vision in action. In July 2024, his power grew even further when he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, signaling that he is now a central pillar of the entire UAE’s security and future.

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💍 The Royal Marriage: The Truth About His Love Life

For over a decade, Sheikh Hamdan was the world’s most eligible bachelor. His singleness sparked endless rumors, speculation, and tabloid gossip.

The “Divorce” Rumors vs. The Truth

There is a common misconception that Sheikh Hamdan has “divorced other wives.” This is factually incorrect. Much of this confusion stems from his father, Sheikh Mohammed, who has had several high-profile marriages and divorces. Sheikh Hamdan, by contrast, represents a modern shift in royal behavior: he has maintained a strictly private, monogamous profile.

The confusion also comes from his engagement. He was reportedly engaged to his cousin, Sheikha Sheikha bint Saeed bin Thani Al Maktoum, years before they actually married. When the engagement was quiet for a long period, rumors swirled that they had “split” or that he had a secret wife. None of this was true. They were simply waiting for the right time.

The Wedding of the Decade (2019)

On May 15, 2019, the wait ended. In a stunning triple wedding ceremony (where he and two of his brothers married on the same day), Sheikh Hamdan officially married Sheikha Sheikha.

• Who is she? She is the daughter of Sheikh Saeed bin Thani Al Maktoum, a member of the ruling family.

• Why don’t we see her? In line with the traditions of the Dubai royal family, female royals often choose to remain out of the public eye. She does not appear in photos, allowing her to live a normal life away from the media glare.

👨‍👧‍👦 The Father: Meet the Next Generation

The “Action Hero” Prince softened instantly when he became a father. His Instagram is now filled with tender moments of him holding his children, often blurring their faces to protect them while sharing his pride.

As of 2026, Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikha Sheikha have four children:

1. Sheikh Rashid (born May 2021): One of the twins. As the eldest son, he is second in line to the throne after Hamdan. Fazza often posts videos of Rashid touching horses or learning to walk in the desert.

2. Sheikha Shaikha (born May 2021): Rashid’s twin sister, named after her mother.

3. Sheikh Mohammed (born February 2023): Named after his grandfather, the Ruler of Dubai.

4. Sheikha Hind (born March 2025): The newest addition to the family, named after Hamdan’s beloved mother, Sheikha Hind.

🦅 The “Fazza” Lifestyle: Adrenaline & Poetry

Why is he called “Fazza”? The name means “The One Who Helps” in the Emirati dialect. It is the pen name he uses for his Nabati poetry—a traditional Bedouin art form. But his hobbies are anything but traditional.

1. The Equestrian Legend

Fazza owns a stable of over 1,000 horses. He is not just an owner; he is a professional athlete. He has won gold medals at the World Equestrian Games, riding 160 km through mud, heat, and rain.

2. Skydiving & The Deep Sea

He treats the sky like a playground. He has skydived over the Palm Jumeirah and scaled the spire of the Burj Khalifa (828 meters high) just to take a selfie. He is also an expert free-diver, often exploring the depths of the ocean without oxygen tanks.

3. The Photographer

His lens captures the soul of Dubai. From foggy sunrises to close-ups of lions in his private zoo, his photography has won international awards. He founded the HIPA (Hamdan International Photography Award), which offers the largest cash prizes in the world for photographers.

💰 Net Worth: How Rich is the Crown Prince?

While royal wealth is guarded, financial experts estimate Sheikh Hamdan’s personal net worth to sit between $1 billion and $2 billion, with access to the Al Maktoum family fortune, which exceeds $15 billion.

Where does the money go?

• The Car Collection: His garage in Dubai is legendary. It houses the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster ($4.5 million), a McLaren P1, a Ferrari LaFerrari, and a fleet of Mercedes G63 AMGs with the license plate number “1.”

• The Superyachts: He frequents the family’s 531-foot superyacht, Dubai, which features a mosaic swimming pool, a helipad, and space for 115 guests.

• Real Estate: Beyond the Zabeel Palace, he owns vast estates in Scotland, London, and Kentucky (USA) for his horse breeding operations.

🔮 Conclusion: A Prince for the Future

Sheikh Hamdan is a paradox. He drives million-dollar cars but stops to help a stranger pull their truck out of the sand. He runs a futuristic government but writes poems about the old desert ways.

In a world where royals are often seen as distant and out of touch, Fazza has rewritten the rulebook. He has shown that true nobility isn’t just about the crown you wear but about the connection you keep with your people. As his children grow and his leadership expands, one thing is certain: the Golden Age of Sheikh Hamdan is just beginning.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who is Sheikh Hamdan’s wife, and did he have previous wives? A: Sheikh Hamdan is married to Sheikha Sheikha bint Saeed bin Thani Al Maktoum. They married in 2019. Contrary to online rumors, he has not divorced previous wives; he has maintained a monogamous marriage.

Q: What are the names of Sheikh Hamdan’s children? A: He has four children: Rashid (son), Shaikha (daughter), Mohammed (son), and Hind (daughter, born 2025).

Q: When is Sheikh Hamdan’s birthday? A: He was born on November 14, 1982.

Q: How much is Sheikh Hamdan worth? A: His personal net worth is estimated at over $1 billion, excluding the wider royal family assets.

Q: Why is he famous on Instagram? A: Under the handle @faz3, he shares his extreme sports, photography, and poetry, making him one of the most followed royals in the world with over 16 million followers.