The emir of Qatar, his three wives and thirteen children. The powerful royal family of the Gulf

“Now is the time for the new generation to take over the power.” On June 25, 2013, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani announced to everyone’s surprise that he was abdicating in favor of one of his sons, Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim. In a televised address to the nation, the Emir of Qatar affirms that “the time has come to open a new page”… This is how Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was suddenly promoted at the age of 33. as a strongman of the rich gas state of the Persian Gulf, becoming the youngest head of state in the Arab world.

Who are the young heirs to European thrones in the video?

An English-educated Francophile

Born on 3 June 1980 in Doha, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is the fourth son of Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani and his second by his influential second wife, Sheikha Moza. On 5 August 2003, due to a change in the order of succession, he was named heir presumptive to the emirate, to the displeasure of his older brother Jassim. Tamimi would be preferable to him because he is said to be the most stable; “One side has a lot, the other is praying a lot,” the source explains. Foreign Policyis a quote Paris game . Especially since Tamim was preparing to assume that position from an early age.

But the fact remains that this football fan, trained in England at prestigious institutions such as Sherborne School, Harrow School and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (this school in Berkshire, where Prince William received his military training) , was able to prove himself, especially through sports. Initially at the helm of the local Olympic committee, he led the organization of the 2006 Asian Games. Then the young man became famous, holding various positions in Qatar. Board of Education, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Information and Telecommunications Technology… Tamim slowly marks his territory.

Like the rest of the al-Thani family, the crown prince is said to love Paris, where he can still walk incognito on the Champs-Élysées. At least it was until he became the Emir of Qatar. Raised by a Belgian nanny, the man speaks French perfectly, according to our colleague, journalist Georges Malbruno. In addition, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is best known in France as the owner of Paris Saint-Germain.

Three women…

On the personal side, like his father, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani first married a cousin, so the future crown prince of Qatar is the product of a pure union between two members of the ruling family. The lucky winner is none other than Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani (her second cousin) got married in 2005, the couple are parents of four children, two girls and two boys, born in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012.

But, like his father again, and because Islamic law allows polygamy, Tamim then married a commoner in 2009, Sheikha Al-Anood bint Mana Al Hajri, who gave birth to three girls and two boys. Before joining Noura bint Hatal Al Dossari in 2014, when he was Emir for a year, with whom he had four children between 2015 and 2020. We’re a long way from his London days, when the young prince was seen leaving a gay club. , before being invited to a short order by his family.

… but only one first lady

However, at the political level, only Sheikha Jawaher assumes the role of first lady. Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani is, in fact, the only one who has accompanied her husband on official trips. Last May, he made a notable appearance accompanying the Qatari emir on his state visit to Spain, his first since he came to power in 2013. Dressed in a Chanel coat and white strappy trousers, clutching a Kelly Hermès bag, Jawaher had the moment. created a surprise by appearing with an open head. A few months later, the sheikh once again proved that he can be counted on by attending Elizabeth II’s funeral in London alongside her husband as a companion.