Dubai's Princess told her husband she wants a divorce with an Instagram post.

Ever heard of divorcing someone via a social media post? Well, it's been well and truly done this week.

Dubai's Princess Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has shown her husband where the door is, asking for a divorce via her Instagram.

The 30-year-old is the daughter of Dubai's ruler, and she has been married to husband Sheikh Mana bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mana Al Maktoum since 2023.

Their wedding was an extravagant affair held at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Just two months ago, the couple welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Mahra after her mother. 

Now Sheikha Mahra has had enough. 

This week she shared a text-only post on Instagram that appeared to be an announcement of her intention to divorce Sheikh Mana.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shaikha Mahra Mohammed Rashed Al Maktoum (@hhshmahra)

"Dear Husband," the Princess wrote. "As you are occupied with other companions, I hereby declare our divorce. I divorce you, I divorce you, and I divorce you."

She signed it off by writing: "Take care. Your ex-wife."

There's a reason Sheikha Mahra used the word divorce three times in her announcement post.

Triple talaq is a custom practised by some in the Muslim community, and it's where a Muslim man can divorce his wife by simply uttering "talaq" — the Arabic word for divorce — three times. Talaq refers to the right of a man to divorce his wife. He can do this either verbally or in writing, as per the practice. The man does not need to offer a reason or obtain his wife's agreement. This mode of divorce is far less common than it used to be.

For Sheikha Mahra to use triple talaq is bold, considering it breaks from the practice's tradition — that only men are usually allowed to invoke talaq under Islamic law.

It's been reported that infidelity played a role in the split, further signposted by Sheikha Mahra saying her now ex-husband was "occupied with other companions".

Both parties have since unfollowed each other on Instagram and removed all shared photos they had posted. This includes their elaborate wedding pictures and more. 

Interestingly, there is yet to be an official comment from the House of Maktoum, which is the royal family that rules Dubai, and which Sheikha Mahra is a part of.

The response from the world though has been highly vocal. Much of Dubai's female elite have rallied behind the Princess, commenting under the post their words of support.

Well-known lawyer Feyza Altun simply said: "Queen."

Netflix's Dubai Bling star Safa Siddiqui wrote: "No woman deserves that. Stay strong."

One famous media personality added: "I find it empowering when a woman recognises her worth and confidently stands her ground."

Sheikha Mahra is no stranger to standing her ground, nor is her sister Sheikha Latifa. Sheikha Latifa once described her father — Dubai's ruler — as a "major criminal" and deemed him responsible for imprisoning disobedient women.

Earlier this year, Sheikha Mahra had said to Harper's Bazaar Arabia that she is passionate about raising the profile of women in the United Arab Emirates.

"It is important to recognise that women are not limited to traditional roles as mothers, but also excel in professions such as pilots, doctors, and soldiers, among others. It is essential to showcase the multifaceted nature of women," she said.

As for what she had to say about marriage... it was interesting.

"I have been married for a short period of time, so I cannot speak from the experience of a long-lasting marriage," she noted. "However, I believe that being with a person who is ambitious and encourages you to have aspirations is a key factor in achieving success in a marriage."

Feature Image: Instagram.