Moroccan-American rapper French Montana has confirmed his engagement to Sheikha Mahra, a princess of Dubai, after proposing to her during Paris Fashion Week in June. The news was officially announced by his representative to TMZ on August 27, 2025, bringing their high-profile relationship into the public eye.
French Montana, whose real name is Karim Kharbouch, popped the question to Sheikha Mahra Mohammed Rashed Al Maktoum shortly after he made his runway debut at the 3.Paradis Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2026 show in Paris. The engagement was kept private for over two months before being revealed, adding an element of surprise to the announcement that has captivated fans and media alike.
The couple was first linked in October 2024 when Sheikha Mahra shared several photos on Instagram of them together during a tour of Dubai. However, they did not go public with their romance until this summer, when they were spotted holding hands at various Paris Fashion Week events, coinciding with the time of the proposal and signaling a more serious commitment.
Sheikha Mahra, 31, is the daughter of Dubai’s ruler and United Arab Emirates Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. She was previously married to Sheikh Mana bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mana Al Maktoum, an Emirati businessman, in a lavish ceremony in April 2023. The couple welcomed a daughter in May 2024, but their marriage ended abruptly when Sheikha Mahra announced their divorce via a scathing Instagram post in July 2024, accusing him of being “occupied with other companions” in a post that mocked Islamic divorce traditions.
French Montana, 40, has his own history of relationships. He was married to Deen Kharbouch from 2007 to 2014, and they have a son together. He has also been romantically linked to celebrities like Khloe Kardashian, Iggy Azalea, and Rubi Rose. In a 2016 interview with Elle, he discussed the emotional challenges of dating someone going through a divorce, which now seems prescient given his current engagement to Sheikha Mahra shortly after her separation.
Both families are reportedly excited about the union, with sources indicating that the engagement has been well-received. Sheikha Mahra’s family is estimated to be worth $18 billion, adding a significant royal dimension to French Montana’s life, who became a U.S. citizen in 2018 and has built a successful music career with three Grammy nominations.
The couple has been seen together frequently since going public, including dinners, dates with camels, and visits to mosques, suggesting a strong and growing bond that blends their diverse backgrounds. No wedding date has been set yet, but the engagement marks a new chapter for both, potentially leading to a fusion of cultural traditions in their future celebrations.
This engagement highlights the increasingly global nature of celebrity relationships, crossing cultural and social boundaries while drawing attention to the personal lives of Dubai’s royal family, which is often kept private. As they plan their future together, fans and media will likely follow their journey closely, watching how this union evolves between the worlds of music and monarchy.