HH Sheikha Mahra On Emirati Legacy, And The UAE In The Next 10 Years | Exclusive Interview
“Our communal Emirati culture flourishes through our unity, and I believe this is a source of pride for us”
HH Sheikha Mahra On Emirati Legacy, And The UAE In The Next 10 years | Exclusive Interview
How does one successfully project a regal air? Not just through sophistication, or glamour, or indeed elegance – which, whilst all necessary ingredients, also happen to be 10 a penny. No… how does that rarefied quality of true majesty assert itself in the real world? In the case of Her Highness Sheikha Mahra Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, it is certainly via all of the above, but it is a quiet confidence and her ability to command a room without fuss that really sets her apart. A true royal – someone who is as beloved as they are respected.
It makes Her Highness’ preternatural knack for putting those around her at ease all the more impressive. She arrives on our Bazaar Arabia cover set with a genuine smile, a graceful willingness to try all our chosen looks, and a kind word for each of our – rather awe-struck – crew. The only daughter of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and Ruler of Dubai, and Zoe Grigorakos, Sheikha Mahra reflects both the generosity of spirit of her father’s Emirati roots, and the famed warmth of her mother’s Greek heritage.
A shining example of Emirati elegance, Her Highness Sheikha Mahra Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum shares her wisdom on culture, legacy and the poignant pride that comes with her Emirati culture…
HH Sheikha Mahra On Emirati Legacy, And The UAE In The Next 10 years | Exclusive Interview
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia (HBA): What are you most proud of about being Emirati? And what is your favourite memory intertwined with the culture growing up?
HH Sheikha Mahra: The source of my pride as an Emirati stems from the deep-rooted values of love, family, and advancement that characterise this country, as it consistently achieves new milestones across various domains. It is not tied to any specific recollection, but rather to my formative years spent in the UAE with my family. Reflecting on these cherished memories fills me with warmth and nostalgia.
HBA: What are you most excited to see happen in the UAE over the next 10 years?
HH Sheikha Mahra: The United Arab Emirates represents advancement and progress, offering limitless possibilities. I am eager to witness the innovative greatness that it will bring. Additionally, the increasing presence of women in the workforce and the prospect of further growth are aspects that I anticipate with great enthusiasm.
HBA: How do you feel the Emirati legacy has been – and will be – written into the sands of time?
HH Sheikha Mahra: I have a deep appreciation for the Emirati heritage and its encompassing qualities. I take great pride in embodying the values of being Emirati, which include being a symbol of love, family, kindness, and camaraderie. Our communal culture flourishes through our unity, and I believe this is a source of pride for us.
HBA: What would you like your role to be in this? Is legacy something you have started thinking about on a personal level?
HH Sheikha Mahra: It is common for individuals to consider the legacy they will leave behind. Personally, I aspire to leave a legacy that will bring pride to my family and myself. While embodying kindness and generosity is a commendable legacy, there is also value in ambition and personal growth. 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.
Photography: Vladimir Marti. Styling: Nour Bou Ezz. Editor in Chief and Words: Olivia Phillips. Make-Up: Alberto at Alberto Make-Up. Hair: Ebraheem AlSoleman. Senior Producer: Steff Hawker. Hair Stylist’s Assistant: Sam Asaad. Lighting Assistant: Mark Anthony Navarro. Fashion Assistants: Charlotte Marsh Williams & Christina Leighton.
Special thanks to Sofia Khan and Al Seef Heritage Hotel.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s January 2023 issue.
