Mary Robinson has declared her loyalty for Princess Haya and denied she is friends with the authoritarian leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The former President of Ireland - and member of the Elders group of UN leaders - has spoken out about the row between Princess Haya and her husband, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, ruler of the UAE.
She said that she was a friend of the Princess, not the country which has been accused of countless human rights violations.
Ms Robinson has a long history with the UAE and has visited there many times.
Princess Haya fled the country and her husband earlier this week and is believed to be currently staying in an €85million Kensington home in London that she owns.
She was asked by the Irish Mirror if she was still friends with the controversial Arab country’s leaders.
Ms Robinson said: “I have never been friends, except with Princess Haya, one friend, who is still my friend.”
Ms Robinson got publicly embroiled in the royal family’s troubles in January when she met with Princess Haya and the Sheikh’s daughter, Princess Sheikha.
A photo of their meeting was published around the world after concerns for the Princess’ welfare, along with a comment from Ms Robinson who said she thought the daughter was “a troubled young woman” whose “vulnerability was apparent.”
She had fled the UAE last winter before being recaptured on a boat in the Indian Sea.
Princess Sheikha had posted a video before that complaining about the terrible conditions she said she was enduring under her father’s roof.
Ms Robinson said she was visiting the family “as a friend.”
Princess Haya is Sheikh Al Maktoum’s sixth wife and is the daughter of King Hussein of Jordan.
