The prime minister of the UAE did not attend the second High Court hearing into the welfare of two of his children.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, 70, who is embroiled in an acrimonious court battle with his estranged wife Princess Haya bint al Hussein, did not attend a preliminary hearing in July too.
The Dubai ruler was instead represented by divorce lawyer Helen Ward.
Princess Haya, who now lives in London with her two children, was present alongside her lawyer Fiona Shackleton.
In July, the parents issued a joint statement, saying: “These proceedings are concerned with the welfare of the two children of their marriage and do not concern divorce or finances.”
A full five-day hearing into the custody and welfare matters of the children will occur in November.
