Kidnapped daughter of Dubai ruler is seen in public for first time in nearly three years

The kidnapped daughter of the ruler of Dubai has been seen in public for the first time in almost three years.

Three months after shocking videos recorded by Princess Latifa al Maktoum were released she was photographed at a shopping mall with her friends.

Dubai authorities sanctioned the release of the photo after campaigners backed by the UN demanded ‘proof of life’ following the release of videos and fears for her life.

Campaigners described the latest move as a ‘highly significant’ and are hoping it could lead to her being allowed to leave the United Arab Emirates.

Latifa, 34 was photographed with two friends at the Emirates Mall in Dubai (pictured)

Three months after shocking videos recorded by Princess Latifa al Maktoum were released she was photographed at a shopping mall with her friends

Latifa, 34 was photographed with two friends at the Emirates Mall in Dubai.

The photo was posted on an Instagram account of one of her companions, known to a friend for a number of years.

It is the first time she has been seen in public since a staged ‘ photo’ with former Irish President Mary Robinson in December 2018.

Earlier this year Latifa smuggled a series of haunting videos out of captivity, describing herself as being held ‘hostage’ by her father Shekh Mohammed al Maktoum.

Speaking publicly for the first time in three years, the 34-year-old royal prisoner describes in vivid detail how her dramatic 2018 escape attempt involving jet skis and a yacht ended in her brutal recapture and forcible repatriation.

Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on Derby day in 2017 with his estranged wife Princess Haya. 

The Queen with Sheikh Mohammed on Derby day in 2011 

In the most damming video filmed after her failed escape, the Princess says: ‘I’m a hostage. And this villa has been converted into a jail. All the windows are barred shut.

‘There’s five policemen outside and two policewomen inside. I can’t even go out to get fresh air. So basically, I’m a hostage.’

Latifa escaped Dubai in February 2018 after recording a disturbing video in which she revealed her troubled relationship with her father.

She was captured on a yacht off the coast of India and forcibly returned to Dubai where she was ‘imprisoned’ in a villa and guarded round the clock

After the release of the February 2021 videos the United Nations demanded to see proof of life and called for Latifa to be freed.

The Free Latifa campaign have recently demanded sanctions be placed on the Dubai ruler over his failure to release his daughter and comply with the UN demands.

David Haigh from the campaign said: ‘We confirm that there have been several potentially significant and positive developments in the campaign.

‘We do not intend to comment further at this stage, a further statement will be issued at the appropriate time’.

A diagram showing Latifa’s daring escape plan from the seas around the United Arab Emirates