In a love story that feels taken from a 21st-century fairytale, rapper French Montana is officially engaged to none other than Sheikha Mahra Mohammed Rashed Al Maktoum, a real-life princess from Dubai.
The 40-year-old hitmaker, born Karim Kharbouch in Casablanca, Morocco, proposed to the 31-year-old royal during Paris Fashion Week this past June, shortly after making his runway debut for 3.Paradis' Spring/Summer 2026 collection.
© Sheikha Mahra/FacebookThe engagement was confirmed by his publicist to TMZ on Wednesday, following months of speculation after the pair were spotted together across Europe and the Middle East.
Inside their romance:
Their relationship, which first sparked rumors in October 2024, unfolded quietly but lavishly. The couple has been seen at iconic places, sharing moments on the Pont des Arts in Paris, dining in upscale restaurants in Dubai and Morocco, and even enjoying romantic “desert escapades by camelback,” according to TMZ sources.
© @hhshmahra InstagramWhile the exact wedding date is still in the works, insiders say “both sides of their families are excited” for the upcoming nuptials, which will be a cross-cultural celebration set to blend hip-hop glamour with Arabian opulence.
Who is Princess Sheikha Mahra?
Born February 26, 1994, Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and architect of the city’s modern skyline. Her mother, Zoe Grigorakos, adds a multicultural Greek lineage to the princess’s royal bloodline.
© @hhshmahra /InstagramEducated in London with a degree in International Relations and trained in equestrian sports in Athens, Mahra isn’t your typical royal. She’s active in humanitarian work and often champions causes related to women’s rights and animal welfare. She is also fluent in Arabic, English, and Greek.
Her controversial split:
In July 2024, just over a year after her lavish wedding to Sheikh Mana bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mana Al Maktoum, the princess made headlines for her very public Instagram breakup.
© @hhshmahra Instagram“Dear Husband. As you are occupied with other companions, I hereby declare our divorce,” she wrote in a now-deleted post. “I divorce you, I divorce you, I Divorce You.” The former couple share a daughter, born in 2023, whose name remains undisclosed.
French Montana: From Khloé Kardashian to Dubai Royalty
While the princess was navigating her divorce, Montana was continuing to evolve his brand. The rapper, known for past high-profile relationships including his 2014 romance with Khloé Kardashian, had been spotted holding hands with Mahra during events in Paris this summer. He previously dated 'Pretty Girls' artist Iggy Azalea in 2016.
© @hhshmahra / InstagramSpeaking to Elle in 2016, Montana once said, “It’s real s***. But sometimes you have to sacrifice for what you want,” when discussing dating women coming out of difficult divorces. “It’s a sensitive space for them.”
He’s since been focused on both his music, releasing the single 'Pack U Up' with Cash Cobain, and his philanthropic work, having helped raise over $226 million for healthcare in Africa.
