The worlds of hip-hop and royalty have officially collided. In a stunning and unexpected development, rapper French Montana is now engaged to Sheikha Mahra Mohammed Rashed Al Maktoum, a princess from the royal family of Dubai. The milestone engagement, which took place during Paris Fashion Week in June, has sent shockwaves through both the entertainment and social circles, cementing a romance that has been unfolding quietly in the public eye.
According to reports from TMZ, the 40-year-old rapper, whose real name is Karim Kharbouch, popped the question shortly after making his runway debut at the 3. Paradis Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2026 show. It was a moment that marked both a professional highlight and a deeply personal one, as he sealed the next chapter of his relationship with the 31-year-old princess.
The romance between French Montana and Sheikha Mahra has been a slow burn, gradually becoming more visible to the public. The two were first linked in October 2024, when Mahra, the daughter of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, shared photos of herself giving the "Stay Schemin" star a tour of her city. Their bond became undeniable this summer during Paris Fashion Week, where they were seen holding hands at multiple events, publicly confirming their relationship.
For Sheikha Mahra, the engagement follows a very public and tumultuous breakup. She was previously married to Sheikh Mana bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mana Al Maktoum, with whom she shares a young daughter. Their split made headlines in July 2024 after Mahra declared the end of their marriage on Instagram with a blunt message that echoed the controversial Islamic practice of "triple talaq." Although her post had no legal weight, it signaled her desire to move on, and she later shared a photo with her daughter captioned, "Just the two of us," a clear statement of her new beginning.
French Montana is no stranger to high-profile relationships, having previously been linked to stars like Khloe Kardashian and Iggy Azalea. While he has remained quiet on his latest engagement, his past comments on dating someone in the midst of a divorce offer a glimpse into his mindset. He once told Elle magazine, "It’s real emotional, it’s a sensitive space for them, but sometimes you have to sacrifice for what you want."
