Infamous Podcast: Encore: Dubai's Missing Princesses I Part 4 Release Date: February 13, 2025

Overview In the fourth and final installment of the "Dubai's Missing Princesses" series, hosted by Vanessa Grigoriadis and Natalie Rogamid of Campside Media, the "Infamous" podcast delves deep into the tumultuous lives of Dubai's royal family, focusing on Princess Haya, and her daughters Latifa and Shamsa. This episode unpacks the intricate web of power, abuse, and international legal battles that have captivated the world and raised critical questions about human rights within the UAE's ruling elite.

1. The Collapse of Princess Haya's Marriage

The episode opens with Natalie Rogamid discussing the precarious position of wives in the UAE, highlighting how easily a marriage can be dissolved under Sharia law. She states:

"Some wives can practically be their husband's property, but they can also quickly become not their property." ([00:50])

Princess Haya's marriage to Sheikh Mohammed took a dramatic turn on February 7, 2019, when he abruptly ended their marriage without her knowledge—a decision that coincided with the anniversary of her father's death. Haya recounts the ensuing terror:

"I found a gun left on her bed with the safety catch off. A provocation, a threat." ([01:05])

Further escalating the tension, a helicopter purportedly belonging to Sheikh Mohammed landed in their Dubai palace yard, leading Haya to fear for her and her children's safety.

2. The Fear and Decision to Escape

Under increasing threats, Haya made the decisive move to flee Dubai. Vanessa Grigoriadis narrates:

"After all the provocation Haya says she received the threats and the messages and the intimidation, she decided enough was enough." ([05:52])

In April 2019, Haya chartered a private plane and escaped to London with her two children, a move fraught with risk given Sheikh Mohammed's extensive holdings and influence in the UK. Louise Callahan provides context on the diplomatic complexities:

"The relationship between Dubai and the UK is business, business, business. It is money. It is the millions of pounds that every year flow from one country to the other." ([06:44])

Haya strategically secured diplomatic immunity through her position as First Secretary at the Jordanian Embassy in London, which initially provided her some protection from legal actions taken by Sheikh Mohammed.

3. Sheikh Mohammed's Media Assault

Shortly after Haya's departure, Sheikh Mohammed initiated a relentless media campaign to tarnish her reputation. As Vanessa explains:

"Sheik Mo began an all out media war. More than a thousand articles about her were published in less than a month." ([07:09])

These articles included unfounded allegations, such as Haya being an agent of Hamas intent on overthrowing Jordan, and sensationalized claims about her personal life, including an alleged affair with a security guard. Haya responded by relinquishing her diplomatic immunity to actively defend herself in the UK courts.

4. The High-Stakes Legal Battle

Haya’s legal team, led by Baroness Fiona Shackleton, presented a compelling case portraying her as a victim of intimidation and abuse. Vanessa details the courtroom drama:

"The court essentially backed up the Princess's claims that Sheikh Mohammed had conducted a campaign to intimidate and frighten her." ([15:21])

Eventually, the High Court ruled in Haya's favor, believing her accounts of coercion and harassment. As a result, Sheikh Mohammed was ordered to pay a settlement exceeding £730 million—one of the most expensive divorces in British history. Additionally, the court found that Haya and her attorneys' phones had been compromised using the Pegasus spyware, implicating Sheikh Mohammed in unauthorized surveillance.

5. The Struggle for Freedom: Latifa and Shamsa

While Haya secured her freedom, the plight of her daughters, Latifa and Shamsa, remained dire. The episode recounts Latifa's failed escape attempt in 2018, detailed in Haya’s video messages where Latifa speaks of her captivity:

"Every day I am worried about my safety in my life." ([18:31])

Despite efforts by activists and Human Rights advocates like David Haig to bring international attention and pressure, Latifa's situation remained unresolved. In February 2021, Haig and his team released video clips showing Latifa purportedly proclaiming her status as a hostage, further exposing the UAE's alleged human rights abuses.

"The UAE had lied to the world. Probably lied to Mary Robinson, we don't know." ([18:36])

Sheikh Mohammed continued to deny involvement, attributing Latifa's actions to manipulation by others. However, evidence suggested a pattern of coercion and control within the royal family.

6. Ongoing Struggles and Global Implications

The podcast highlights that the issues faced by Haya, Latifa, and Shamsa are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of oppression within the UAE's royal circles. Natalie Rogamid underscores:

"There are so many more strange cases involving Emirati royals, cases that have never really gotten any attention." ([25:29])

Examples include Sheikh Mohammed’s ex-wife Randa Al Banna, who has been denied access to her daughter, and the abduction of Sheikh Mohammed’s cousins from London in 2000—mirroring Shamsa’s disappearance.

The episode emphasizes the global complacency towards such human rights violations, attributing it to the immense power and wealth of the royal family.

"Arab women specifically. A demographic the world likes to use as a symbol of oppression when convenient, rather than humanized with the depth reserved for other people." ([25:42])

7. The Quest for Justice and Freedom

As of the episode's release, Latifa remains unaccounted for, despite sporadic appearances suggesting she might still be under duress. David Haig reflects on the fragile state of her freedom:

"We always thought that somebody might kill her. The guards would do things like put razor blades under her bed and things. I mean, it was horrific what was going on." ([21:15])

The podcast concludes by highlighting the ongoing struggle for justice and the personal toll it takes on activists and those involved in supporting the princesses. Vanessa Grigoriadis poignantly remarks:

"Latifa's voice in my head from that original 2018 video... Freedom means something different to everyone, and we definitely don't all have it." ([27:20])

Conclusion

The final episode of "Dubai's Missing Princesses" encapsulates a harrowing tale of power abuse, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. It sheds light on the dark underbelly of Dubai's glittering facade and challenges listeners to consider the real human cost behind headlines and high-profile divorces. By weaving together personal testimonies, legal developments, and investigative journalism, "Infamous" offers a comprehensive and emotionally charged narrative that underscores the urgent need for accountability and human rights advocacy in the face of immense power.

Notable Quotes:

• Natalie Rogamid: "Some wives can practically be their husband's property, but they can also quickly become not their property." ([00:50])

• Princess Haya: "I found a gun left on her bed with the safety catch off. A provocation, a threat." ([01:05])

• David Haig: "The UAE had lied to the world. Probably lied to Mary Robinson, we don't know." ([18:36])

• Natalie Rogamid: "There are so many more strange cases involving Emirati royals, cases that have never really gotten any attention." ([25:29])

• Vanessa Grigoriadis: "Freedom means something different to everyone, and we definitely don't all have it." ([27:20])

Production Credits: Created and executive produced by Gabriel Sherman and Vanessa Grigoriadis. Co-hosted by Natalie Rogamid. Produced by Heather Schwering, Natalie Winkelman, Lily Houston Smith, and Grace Here. Managing Producer and Editor: Shoshi Shmulovitz. Sound Design by David Devereaux. Recording by Ewan Lai Trimuin. Fact-Checking by Matt Giles. Voices by Rajeev Gola and Lily Houston Smith. Executive Producers at Campside Media: Josh Dean, Adam Hoff, Matt Sher, and Vanessa Grigoriadis. Operations Team: Doug Slaywin, Ashley Warren, and Destiny Dingle.

Connect with Infamous: To engage with Infamous's creative team and access behind-the-scenes content, join the community at Campsidemedia.com/join.

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