by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned of Qatar – photo: The Qatar Consultancy

Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned is the wife of Sheikh Hammad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar, and mother of Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

Sheikha Mozah was born on August 8, 1959, in Al-Khor, Qatar. Her father, Nasser bin Abdullah Al Missned had publicly advocated for a fairer distribution of wealth in the small nation of Qatar, which brought about his imprisonment at the hands of the Emir (the father of her future husband). Despite this, while attending Qatar University, she met and became engaged to the Crown Prince of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Mozah would eventually earn her Bachelor’s Degree from Qatar University in 1986. She became his second wife in 1977. They have seven children:

• Sheikh Jasim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
• Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar
• Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
• Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
• Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
• Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
• Sheikha Hind bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani

Sheikha Mozah with her husband on an official visit to Spain, 2011.  photo: Zimbio

When her husband became Emir in 1995, Sheikha Mozah took a very public and prominent role in the country. Unlike most wives in Middle Eastern monarchies who remain quietly in the background, she has used her profile and position to raise awareness of important issues. With her husband, she established the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, and serves as the Chairperson of the Board. She serves as President of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Vice-Chairperson of the Supreme Education Council, Chairperson of the Silatech initiative, and Chairperson of the Arab Democracy Foundation. Since 2003, she has worked with UNESCO as a Special Envoy for Basic and Higher Education.

On June 25, 2013, after eighteen years as Emir, Sheikh Hamad publically announced his abdication in favor of his son Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa. Internationally, Sheikha Mozah often represented her husband at major royal functions and accompanied him on most state visits. She is considered by many to be one of the most glamorous and fashionable royals in the world and remains a visible member of Qatar’s royal family, often seen supporting her son, the current Emir.

Sheikha Mozah, with Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco and Prince Albert of Monaco, at the investiture of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, 2013.  photo: Popsugar

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

by Scott Mehl

© Unofficial Royalty 2014

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was Emir of Qatar from 1995 until 2013. He was born in January 1, 1952 in Doha, Emirate of Qatar, the son of Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar from 1975-1995.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was born on January 1, 1952, in Doha, Qatar. Following his initial education in Qatar, he attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, graduating in 1971. Returning to Qatar, he took up several positions in Qatar’s military and government, being named Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense. He was named Crown Prince in 1977 and led Qatar’s Supreme Planning Council.

In 1992, his father handed over much of the day-to-day responsibility to Hamad, while remaining Emir and Head of State. However, while his father was out of the country, Hamad staged a coup in June 1995, overthrowing his father and declaring himself the new Emir of Qatar. During Hamad’s reign, Qatar saw significant growth in natural gas production and more prominence on the world stage. He was a primary contributor to the establishment of the Al Jazeera news network and established the Qatar Investment Authority. The QIA holds assets of over US$ 170 billion, with investments in several major corporations – including Royal Dutch Shell, Volkswagen, and the Harrods Group – as well as real estate holdings around the world.

Sheikh Hamad on a state visit to the UK, 2010.  photo: Zimbio

Sheikh Hamad traveled extensively, promoting diplomatic ties with countries both within the region and elsewhere. He spent a significant amount of time in the United Kingdom, having several private properties there. He was typically accompanied by his second wife, Sheikha Mozah, who has taken on a much more public role than his other wives who, in keeping with tradition, are seldom seen in public.

On June 25, 2013, after eighteen years as Emir, Sheikh Hamad publically announced his abdication in favor of his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa. Read more about the abdication here.

Sheikh Hamad has three wives and a total of 24 children.

First Wife: Sheikha Mariam bint Muhammad Al Thani, his first cousin. They had eight children:

• Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
• Sheikh Sheikh Fahd bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
• Sheikha Aisha bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
• Sheikha Mashael bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
• Sheikha Fatima bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
• Sheikha Rawdah bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
• Sheikha Hussah bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
• Sheikha Sara bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani

Second Wife: Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned. They married in 1977, and had seven children:

• Sheikh Jasim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
• Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar
• Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
• Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
• Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
• Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
• Sheikha Hind bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani

Third Wife: Sheikha Noora bint Khalid Al-Thani, his first cousin. They had nine children:

• Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
• Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
• Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
• Sheikh Al Qaqa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
• Sheikha Lulwaa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
• Sheikha Maha bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
• Sheikha Dana bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
• Sheikha Al-Anood bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
• Sheikha Mariam bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani

Sheikh Hamad and Sheikha Mozah with The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, 2010. photo: Zimbio/Bauer Griffin

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar; Credit – Wikipedia

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, The Emir of Qatar was born on June 3, 1980, in Doha, Qatar, the fourth son of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar. His mother is Sheikh Hamad’s second wife, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned.

He was educated at the Sherborne School in Dorset, England, receiving his A-levels in 1997. He then enrolled at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, graduating in 1998. Upon his return to Qatar, he was commissioned in the Qatar Armed Forces. In 2003, he was named Crown Prince of Qatar after his elder brother renounced his position.

As Crown Prince, Sheikh Tamim was instrumental in raising the international profile of Qatar, putting much of his focus into various sporting events. He is a member of the International Olympic Committee, as well as the chairman of the Qatar National Olympic Committee. He was a large part of the successful bid to bring the FIFA World Cup to Qatar in 2022.

On June 25, 2013, his father announced his abdication and the accession of Sheikh Tamim as the new Emir of Qatar.

Sheikh Tamim with his first wife, Sheikha Jawaher;  photo: The Times

Sheikh Tamim has three wives:

First wife (and second cousin) Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim, had two sons and two daughters:

• Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 2006)
• Sheikh Hamad bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 2008)
• Sheikha Aisha bint Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 2010)
• Sheikh Jassim bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 2012)

Second wife, Sheikha AlAnoud bint Mana Al Hajri, had three daughters and two sons:

• Sheikha Naylah bint Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 2010).
• Sheikh Abdullah bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 2012)
• Sheikha Roda bint Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 2014)
• Sheikh Alqaqaa bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 2015)
• Sheikha Moza bint Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 2018)

Third wife, Sheikha Noora Bint Hathal Aldosari, had three sons and one daughter:

• Sheikh Joaan bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 2015)
• Sheikh Mohammed bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 2017)
• Sheikh Fahad bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 2018)
• Sheikha Hind bint Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 2020)

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2013

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani with his wife Sheikha Mozan bint Nasser Al-Misnad.  Photo credit: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images.

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani abdicated in favor of his 33-year old son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on June 25, 2013.  Hamad had been Emir since 1995 when he overthrew his father.

The new Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Photo credit: Fadi Al-Assaad/Reuters.

The new Emir is the son of Hamad and his second wife Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Misnad.  He has two wives – Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani (his second cousin), and Sheikha Anoud bint Mana Al-Hajri – and seven children.  Sheikh Tamim was named Crown Prince of Qatar in 2003 after his elder brother renounced his claim to the throne.

BBC: Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad hands power to son Tamim
Guardian: Emir of Qatar hands power to his son in peaceful transition

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.