Princess Latifa was born on 5 December 1985. She is an Emirati princess and a member of the Dubai royal family. As the daughter of a Sheikh, she is often given the courtesy title of ‘Sheikha Latifa’.

She is the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Her mother is HouriaLamara from Algeria. Sheikha Latifa has two half-sisters with the same name (one older and one younger). She is the full sister of SheikhaMaitha (born 1980), Sheikha Shamsa (1981), and Sheikh Majid (1987).

Princess Latifa tried to flee Dubai for the first time in 2002 at the age of 16. She was caught at the border between the UAE and Oman and brought back to Dubai. As a result of her attempt to leave Dubai, she was arbitrarily detained by her father and spent three and a half years in prison Nad Al Sheba. She was subject to torture, and inhumane and degrading treatment.

Princess Latifa is committed to equality, justice and freedom of speech and thought for all human beings. Known in some media as the “skydiving princess”, she is a devoted vegan and a committed animal rights campaigner.