In the Emirates you’ll see their faces almost straight away: portraits in hotel lobbies, offices and malls, and on buildings around National Day. Guests often ask me who is in the portraits and why there are several. I’m always glad to explain: the rulers of the Emirates built a country that managed in half a century what takes others centuries, and Emiratis speak about them with sincere respect.
This post covers who rules each of the seven emirates in 2026, how power works in the federation, how to read the sheikhs’ names and how to behave around the portraits. Facts from official sources only, no rumours.
How power works in the UAE
The UAE is a federation of seven emirates. Each emirate has its own ruler from its own ruling family. Together the seven rulers form the Federal Supreme Council, the country’s highest authority. The Council elects the President for a five-year term, which can be renewed.
The President chairs the Supreme Council, signs federal laws and decrees, appoints the Prime Minister and ministers and represents the federation. I tell how the seven emirates came together in 1971 in how the UAE was formed, and how the emirates differ from each other in the seven emirates of the UAE.
The rulers of the seven emirates in 2026
| Emirate | Ruler | Rules since | Crown Prince |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE | 2022 | Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
| Dubai | Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE | 2006 | Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum |
| Sharjah | Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi | 1972 | Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi |
| Ajman | Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi | 1981 | Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi |
| Umm Al Quwain | Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla | 2009 | Sheikh Rashid bin Saud Al Mualla |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi | 2010 | Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi |
| Fujairah | Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi | 1974 | Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi |
Supreme Council membership is from the official u.ae portal (updated 25 June 2026); crown princes are from the u.ae section on the emirates’ local governments.
Abu Dhabi and the President: the Al Nahyan family
The Al Nahyan family comes from the Al Bu Falah branch of the Bani Yas tribe. Its ancestors lived in the Liwa oasis, settled on Abu Dhabi island in 1793 and lived for almost two centuries in Qasr Al Hosn fort, which you can visit today.
The founder and first President of the UAE was Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. His life has its own post, Sheikh Zayed: the man who built a country. The second President was his son, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the third President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The Federal Supreme Council elected him on 14 May 2022. The country has two Vice Presidents: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi is Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
If you’re going on an Abu Dhabi day tour, you can add Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace: a working palace that is open to visitors.
Dubai: the Al Maktoum family
The Al Maktoum have ruled Dubai since 1833, when about 800 members of the Bani Yas tribe settled on Dubai Creek. How that settlement grew into a global city is in the history of Dubai.
For me this is personal. In July 2023, on Sheikh Mohammed’s birthday, I wrote on my Instagram that it was the birthday of the man thanks to whom we can call Dubai home. A great many expats feel the same.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been Ruler of Dubai since 4 January 2006, and the same month the Supreme Council elected him Vice President of the UAE; he is also the country’s Prime Minister. In 1971, when the state was formed, he became the UAE’s first Minister of Defence, and in January 2019 Dubai marked his 50 years of public service.
There are three things worth knowing about him, and I always tell guests about them:
- Poetry. Sheikh Mohammed writes poetry in the Nabati tradition, the vernacular poetry of Arabia. His official website has a whole section for it: collections, poems dedicated to Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Khalifa, poetic riddles and replies to other poets’ verses.
- Horses. He founded Godolphin, one of the best-known racing stables in the world, named after the famous stallion the Godolphin Arabian. According to Godolphin, he saw his first race at Newmarket in May 1967, while studying in Cambridge, and his first winner, a filly called Hatta, won on 20 June 1977. He is an outstanding rider himself: in 2012, aged 63, he won the world endurance championship over 160 km.
- The city. Emirates airline was launched with his involvement in 1985, and he still signs the laws that keep Dubai growing: on 9 October 2026, for example, the law creating the Dubai Orchestra Foundation.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been Crown Prince of Dubai since 1 February 2008, and since July 2024 also Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE. Like his father, he writes poetry, under the name Fazza. The National explains that in the Emirati dialect this means someone who rushes to help others. Sheikh Hamdan has ridden since childhood and competes in endurance; he won gold at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games. Dubai residents also know him for the Dubai Fitness Challenge: 30 minutes of activity a day for 30 days.
The First Deputy Ruler of Dubai is Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, and the Second Deputy Ruler is Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed.
Al Hisn Fort in the centre of Sharjah. The official UAE portal says the Ruler of Sharjah continues the legacy of Al Qasimi rulers going back to 1600. Photo: Alexandermcnabb, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah: the Al Qasimi family
Two emirates are ruled by branches of one family, descended from the Al Qawasim tribe. According to u.ae, it was once a powerful maritime force in the Gulf.
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi has ruled Sharjah since 25 January 1972, the longest reign among today’s rulers. Before that, in 1971–1972, he was the UAE’s first Minister of Education. He is a scholar in the full sense: a bachelor’s in agriculture from Cairo University (1971), a doctorate in history from the University of Exeter (1985, with distinction) and a PhD in the political geography of the Gulf from Durham University (1999). For many years he headed the University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah, he lectures on the modern history of the Gulf and writes historical, literary and theatrical works. To plan a visit to Sharjah, with its museums and old centre, see Sharjah: things to do. The Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah is Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi.
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi has ruled Ras Al Khaimah since 27 October 2010. The Crown Prince is Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi.
Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah
Ajman: the Al Nuaimi family. According to u.ae, the Al Nuaimi tribe came to the area around 1775 and founded the emirate. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi is the tenth Ruler of Ajman; he took over in September 1981 from his father, Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid. The Crown Prince is Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi.
Umm Al Quwain: the Al Mualla family, of the Al Ali tribe. Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla has ruled the emirate since 2 January 2009. The Crown Prince is Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla.
Fujairah: the Al Sharqi family. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi became ruler in 1974, at 25, after serving as the UAE’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in 1971–1974. The Crown Prince is Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi. For what to see on the east coast, read Fujairah: things to do.
The old Fujairah fort. According to u.ae, the emirate’s modern history begins in 1808, when the chief of the Sharqi tribe began building the castle and the old town. Photo: Marko, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
How to read the names and the portraits
A sheikh’s name is a short family tree:
- bin means son of: Hamdan bin Mohammed is Hamdan, son of Mohammed;
- Al before the family name indicates the family or tribe: Al Maktoum, Al Nahyan, Al Qasimi;
- His Highness (H.H.) is how official sources address rulers and crown princes.
In Dubai you’ll usually see portraits of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and of Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, often with Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan as well. In the other emirates the local ruler’s portrait usually hangs next to the President’s. If you’re not sure who is pictured, ask the hotel staff or me: it’s a normal and respectful question.
Etiquette for visitors
Emiratis hold their rulers in deep respect, and a guest should do the same:
- don’t joke about the rulers and their families or discuss their private lives;
- take photos next to portraits calmly, without faces or gestures;
- don’t use images of the rulers in memes, stickers or advertising;
- treat the flag and national symbols with respect, especially on National Day, 2 December;
- if the conversation turns to the rulers, talk about what you see yourself, the roads, the museums, the safety, and listen to what Emiratis tell you.
How I can help
On my tours the story of the ruling families comes up naturally: on the Old Dubai tour, the Al Maktoum family and Dubai Creek; on the Abu Dhabi day tour, Sheikh Zayed and the Al Nahyan family, with the option of stopping at Qasr Al Watan. Tell me what interests you, and I’ll put together a programme around the history and traditions of the Emirates.
Checked on 11 October 2026. Sources: u.ae (Federal Supreme Council, President and Vice Presidents, local governments, emirate pages), official website of Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi, Godolphin, The National, Gulf News, Fujairah Observer.
Practical answers
Frequently asked questions
Who rules Dubai?
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai since 4 January 2006. He is also Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE. The Crown Prince of Dubai is his son, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.
Who is the President of the UAE?
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The Federal Supreme Council elected him President on 14 May 2022; he is the country's third President, after Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Khalifa.
Does the UAE have a king?
No. The UAE is a federation of seven emirates, each with its own ruler. Together the rulers form the Federal Supreme Council, which elects the President for five years.
Why do the rulers of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah share the name Al Qasimi?
Both emirates are ruled by branches of the same Al Qasimi family, descended from the Al Qawasim tribe, once a powerful maritime force in the Gulf. Each emirate still has its own ruler.
What do bin and Al mean in the sheikhs' names?
Bin means son of, and Al indicates the family. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is Mohammed, son of Rashid, of the Al Maktoum family.
Can I take photos next to portraits of the rulers?
Yes, as long as you do it respectfully. Don't pull faces or make gestures, and don't use the portraits in jokes, memes or advertising: for Emiratis this is a matter of deep respect.
