Sharjah ruler's son Prince Khalid Al Qasimi, 39, found dead in 'drug and sex-fuelled orgy' at his luxury London penthouse: Reports
London based fashion designer and UAE royalty, Prince Khalid Al Qasimi died on July 1 and reports allegedly suggest that drugs may have been involved in the death of the son of Sharjah's ruler. According to unconfirmed reports in The Sun, class A drugs were allegedly found at the penthouse in high-end Knightsbridge where his body had been found. The police have, however, neither confirmed nor denied the reports.
He was 39 years old and was the creative designer for his brand Qasimi, a high-end luxury fashion house.
A source told the publication, "There had apparently been a party where some guests were taking drugs and having sex. It is suspected that Sheikh Khalid may have died suddenly as a result of taking drugs. Apart from the police inquiry, an urgent internal probe has been ordered and staff has been ordered to keep quiet." The source also reportedly told them that the prince's life "has ended tragically".
Three days of mourning has been declared in the Emirate and flags have been ordered to fly at half-mast. His brand also issued a tribute in his name, calling him "tenacious, yet sensitive".
"His goal was to create a world full of beautifully crafted products infused with cultural, social and political undertones to inform and inspire," the post on their Instagram handle said. He had showcased his clothes in places like London, Paris and the Middle East.
His cause of death has not been officially revealed. His father, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi has ruled Sharjah since 1972. The UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs said in a statement, "President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan mourns with grief and sorrow, the death of Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the son of the Ruler of Sharjah, praying to Allah the Almighty to rest his soul in peace, and grant his family patience and solace." His eldest son, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, reportedly died of an alleged heroin overdose at the age of 24 in 1999.
The designer was recently in the middle of controversy for his designs. His designs, inspired by his roots and the socio-political aspect of the Middle East, had used the slogan "don't shoot" in his Qasimi Fall 2017. The phrase is important to where he comes from - it was originally worn by journalists in Lebanon during the Israeli invasion of the country in 1982. Although he had said that he didn't own the phrase, he had been upset when it had appeared in Vetements' Spring 2020 Menswear.
"I use fashion as a medium to have a discourse and exchange points of view. I always reference the Middle East alongside other inspirations, be it politics, architecture, or contemporary art," he had told Wonderland in an interview, adding, "I understand what they are doing. It’s about consumerism. But it’s a complete F-U to the region as well. I used that print to highlight the plight of something going on in the Middle East. For Vetements to use it in such a flippant and provocative manner; I don’t think they realize what these words mean to us Arabs." The slogan appearing on Vetements was also condemned by many fashion activists.