An Instagram profile that seems to belong to Princess Latifa, the Dubai royal who claimed to have been held hostage by her father, has posted a photograph and a press release repeating claims that she is “free and living an independent life”.
The daughter of the billionaire ruler of Dubai has not been publicly seen or heard from in additional than a yr.
Sky News has reached out to the account and to the UAE Embassy to verify whether or not the Instagram account belongs to the princess and if they’ll touch upon the matter.
Instagram accounts belonging to ladies recognized to be related to Princess Latifa are amongst these interacting with this new profile.
A photograph was printed on the account on Wednesday at 4pm UK time showing to indicate Princess Latifa in entrance of the Swarovski Crystal Worlds attraction in Austria.
The submit claims the photograph was taken just a few months in the past, however this isn’t doable to confirm as Instagram removes knowledge from pictures – together with when an image was taken.
An announcement has been printed alongside the picture, saying: “I want to share my sincere gratitude to everyone who has shown compassion towards me over the past few years. In that time, my life has changed in so many ways and I am looking forward to the next chapter.”
It goes on to say the submit is in response to continued media enquiries relating to whether or not Princess Latifa has management of her personal life and is free to do as she needs.
The assertion continues: “I can perceive it from the surface perspective of seeing somebody so outspoken fall off the grid and have others communicate on her behalf, particularly after every little thing that has occurred which seems to make me seem like I’m being managed. I’m completely free and residing an unbiased life.
The submit and picture uploaded by an Instagram account that will belong to Princess Latifa
“I live in Dubai for most of the year and can travel also, which is what I want.
“Again, I want to thank everybody who’s supported me and cared, I’m extraordinarily grateful.”
The last sighting of her is believed to have been a photo of the Dubai Royal with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The photo appeared in February last year, but Sky News was able to confirm the image had actually been taken the previous November.
Princess Latifa, left, met with Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, final yr. Pic: @UNHumanRights
In 2021, secret video messages handed to Sky News have been printed. In them, the princess claimed her father was holding her hostage.
After the movies, the UN and world leaders expressed concern for the princess.
The first image of the princess in public after her video messages went viral was shared on Instagram
In May 2021, a photograph was posted to social media displaying Princess Latifa in public for the primary time since her movies have been launched. A handful of pictures have been shared on social media over the next months earlier than information of the princess stopped.
The pictures have been first posted on the Instagram accounts of two ladies.
These ladies, who describe themselves as pals of the royal, are amongst these interacting with this new profile.
They have shared and preferred the submit, in addition to being listed within the handful of followers at present linked to this account.
The unverified Instagram account has “Latifa Al Maktoum” within the title subject and is a public profile, which means anybody can entry it.
Her household, together with her father Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who’s the prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, have at all times denied any mistreatment of Princess Latifa and say they’ve at all times acted in her greatest needs.
Allegations relating to the therapy of each Princess Latifa and her sister Shamsa have been heard throughout a High Court battle in London in 2020 between the Sheikh and his former spouse, Princess Haya.
The Data and Forensics workforce is a multi-skilled unit devoted to offering clear journalism from Sky News. We collect, analyse and visualise knowledge to inform data-driven tales. We mix conventional reporting expertise with superior evaluation of satellite tv for pc pictures, social media and different open supply info. Through multimedia storytelling we goal to raised clarify the world whereas additionally displaying how our journalism is completed.
Content Source: information.sky.com