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A long lineage of descendants from the Banu Tamim tribal confederation has given rise to the House of Thani, which is Qatar's ruling royal family headed by Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Currently, the Emir of Qatar, or what is more commonly called the ruler of Qatar, is Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. They are among the richest royal families in the world. Just like any other royal family, this one also has a wealth of riches beyond anything an ordinary person could ever dream of and cannot imagine.
Several reports have stated that the Qatari royal family holds a whopping $335 billion in net wealth, which is a staggering amount in the world of finance. It's no surprise that the Qatari Royal Family is living their luxurious lives, buying real estate, superyachts, and buying sport teams.
The Ultra-Luxurious Abode Of The Qatari Royal Family
It's everyone's dream to have a mansion, especially in the heart of London. It seems like Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, the former Emir of Qatar's wife, thought the same thing when she reportedly bought a Cornwall Terrace for $80 million. She then paid an additional $40 million for 2-3 Cornwall Terrace.
The luxurious 1 Cornwall Terrace spans 21,500 square feet and includes seven bedrooms, 11 reception rooms, nine bathrooms, beauty treatment spaces, and a leisure complex with a gym and heated indoor swimming pool. Meanwhile, the nearby 2-3 Cornwall Terrace offers six bedrooms and 14,000 square feet. According to media sources, the family intended to convert the five-story, Grade I-listed terraced buildings into a 17-bedroom mega-mansion worth an estimated $230 million.
However, not everything is as it seems as according to records obtained from the Pandora Papers investigation, the Qatari family evaded paying $18.5 million in stamp duty by purchasing the houses through offshore firms, according to the BBC. Similarly, the family purchased the property at 2-3 Cornwall Terrace.
The Royal Family Travels In Style
One way to tell a person's status is by the car that they drive. When you're a part of the Qatari royal family, it's only natural for you to go only the best. The Chiron is one of the most popular automobiles in the world from the German then French manufacturer Bugatti. However, the supercar is not widely owned because of its high price and exclusivity. A member of Qatar's royal family is driving the Bugatti Chiron on one occasion.
However, this is not your typical Bugatti Chiron. Based on the Super Sport 300, the Chiron variant set the world record for the fastest car, reaching 300 mph (482 kmph). The Super Sport has a top speed of 273 mph or 440 kmph, while the Chiron Sport has a top speed of 261 mph or 420 kmph. Bugatti only produced 40 Divos, with costs starting at $5.08 million and growing dramatically as consumers ticked a few options boxes and made special requests.
This is not, however, the only Bugatti Divo possessed by a member of Qatar's royal family. Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani owned a Divo and was observed driving it around London earlier this year. He transported the hypercar to the United Kingdom alongside his Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 and Ferrari Monza SP2.
It's undeniable that people with money love buying extravagant boats. Hence, it was not surprising when a $348 million superyacht owned by the Qatari Royal Family was sighted parked in the UK in August. The Katara, one of the world's largest superyachts, was seen docked in Falmouth, Cornwall, near the luxury cruise liner, The World.
This isn't the only yacht in his collection; the Qatari royal family also owns the multi-million dollar cruiser, 'Al Mirqab,' which Forbes magazine named one of the most beautiful yachts in 2008 and belonged to one of the world's wealthiest men, Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who chose Skiathos for another vacation.
Before sailing in the Aegean Sea's clear blue waters, all 50 crew members on the yacht were tested for the Covid-19 virus. Medical staff and a molecular analyzer are available on the yacht, allowing for continuous testing. Dubbed the floating palace, this superyacht contains 12 rooms, two pools, a gym, a movie theater, and even a Jacuzzi. Besides handcrafted furniture, the vessel is decorated with works of art by famous artists like Picasso and Van Gong.
The Family's Love For Sports
Qatar's royal family loves sports, without a doubt. Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has been known for promoting the desert nation's international reputation through sports. In addition to being the head of the National Olympic Committee, he oversaw Qatar's bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and he is a critical player in the purchase of the Paris Saint-Germain football club.
The Qatari royal family's member Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani purchased the Spanish club Málaga for $44 million in June 2010. During his visit to the Al Bayt Stadium Park in August 2022, the Emir also walked with students from primary schools in order to raise awareness about sports and encourage young people to adopt healthy habits. So, it is without a doubt that the Emir loves sport.
However, he isn’t the only Qatari royal family member who loves it—In September 22, it was reported that Qatari royal family member Khalid Faleh al Thani expressed interest in buying struggling Serie A club Sampdoria. Although Sampdoria consistently plays in Serie A, the club has suffered relegation in recent years due to instability.
Sources: Middle East Eye, BBC, Yachts International