Everything but a fairy tale, the story of Princess Latifa. On February 16, the BBC uploaded an outdated video that looks like a sheet of white, wearing a pale black track suit. Pictured with a mobile phone in the toilet of a villa, somewhere in the sand of the desert, is the daughter of Mohammed bin Rachid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). For three years now, fears about his life have been reassuring: “All the windows are locked, five police officers outside, two police officers … inside … I will never be in jail again for the rest of my life. The secret video has moved the entire planet, close to Dubai and Sheikh Mohammed.” The foreign minister of the United Kingdom in question had demanded “proof of life”.

“My father has the ability to kill people to protect his reputation.”

“We are concerned about this case,” said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In the process, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spokeswoman Liz Trozel called on the United Arab Emirates: “We have expressed our concerns in the light of the disturbing videos released this week. […] We asked the government [des EAU, ndlr] Make their response a priority question. On Friday, February 19, there was a press release from the United Arab Emirates Embassy in London about the whereabouts of Latifa, now 35. “Her family has confirmed that her Highness is being cared for at home, supported by her family and health professionals. Her condition is improving and we hope she will return to public life on time. “Yet, the princess’ friends, who have gathered in a free Latifa committee of ten million subscribers around the world, have had no news since February 2019, when the regular connection from the hidden phone’s toilet was cut off. This is the reason why they decided to broadcast this video to the BBC despite the consequences of Latifa. The UAE’s statement to “take charge” is comforting to them. The princess’ nightmare began with a similar statement. In February 2018, this great sportswoman, rider, parachutist, who grew up partially in the United Kingdom, wanted to flee Dubai, where paternal authority and the status of women in the royal family are still governed by ritual law. The father who dominates the Emirates holds the family in an iron fist: six wives, thirty children, no one should leave the gold frame, especially women. The day before the escape, Latifa, who was programmed as “James Bond”, recorded a video – “Probably the last of my life … My father has the ability to kill people to protect my reputation”. Then, she crossed the border into Oman, boarded a jet-ski and boarded a private ship, hoping to immigrate to the United States permanently. In India, the Coast Guard boarded a boat from Goa and handed over the princess to Dubai soldiers. Her helpless companions watched her fight, “Don’t bring me back alive, kill me here!” “In April 2018, the Dubai government ended the adventure with a statement:” The princess has been brought back to her family and is doing well. After that, the government carried out the dissertation of a young woman who was bipolar and surrounded by care. He even visited former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson. But after the last BBC video, she said she was very worried about Latifa.

The young woman is not an isolated case in the royal family. In 2019, the 46 – year – old princess and Sheikh’s sixth wife fled Dubai on a private jet that landed in Germany planted by her bodyguard, along with her daughter al – Jaleela and son Zayed, for $ 40 million. Haya, who was rejected by her husband, took her children into custody in London in March 2020. As it passed, British justice ruled that the Emir of Dubai had ordered the abduction of his two daughters, Latifa and Shamsa. In 2000, Latifa’s older sister, Shamsa, first wanted to open the cage. The 19-year-old escaped from the Emir’s luxury estate in Surrey during the summer holidays. Shortly afterwards, she was arrested in Cambridge and sent back to Dubai by a private jet. Before disappearing, Shamsa had time to send an email: “I told you it would happen, they have the money and the power, they think they can do anything. According to David Haig, a British human rights lawyer who has been pursuing the two sisters’ case, “Shamsa has not reappeared since.” In Dubai, there is still a fog about the royal family, which no one dares to mention. In Los Angeles, they attract screenwriters. The writers are working on a series produced by Netflix, on the advice of Herve Joubert, a French businessman who organized to escape Latifa’s yard. It’s hard to be more romantic than reality.