Princess Haya bint Hussein Makes a Rare Appearance at Queen Elizabeth's Committal Service

When Princess Haya bint Hussein fled to Britain fearing her safety in 2019, she reportedly stayed in close contact with the British royal family.

"I think we’ll never, ever see a queen like that [again] and we never have before," Princess Haya told Reuters at her country home near Windsor a few days ago. "She was, I think, to all walks of society and to so many people around the world ... an example and an inspiration to look up to. And I did so like so many others."

"I remember after my late father died, and my late mother died, Her Majesty was kind enough to have special words for my younger brother and I and to make sure that we were alright," Haya continued. "She's been for me, as everyone else, a constant thread in nearly every aspect of our lives. I think there was not a decision made or a time when I didn't think ‘what would Her Majesty do?’ or ‘What would Her Majesty say?’"

Earlier this year, a British court awarded Princess Haya full custody of her children, ruling that her ex-husband Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inflicted "exorbitant" domestic abuse. Sheikh Mohammad's representative maintained his denial of all the allegations made against him.

Princess Haya attended Queen Elizabeth's committal service with her uncle, Prince Hassan bin Talal, this afternoon, but she did not attend the state funeral at Westminster ABbey. Haya's half brother, Jordan's current king Abdullah II did attend the funeral with his wife, Queen Raina.

"I think that what I feel is just a huge amount of sorrow for the world, which is a different place without her in it," Haya shared. "Also for the people of Britain, who’ve lost one of the world’s most amazing monarchs and a part of their lives since we can all remember."

In late 2019, Town & Country published a detailed investigation into the flight of several women, including Princess Haya, from the court of Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum. Read the story about the runaway Princesses of Dubai here.

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