Sheikha Mahra and French Montana? That wasn’t in our bingo card; but apparently they’re a thing. The Dubai royal and the Moroccan-American rapper hard-launched their relationship during Paris Fashion Week, and the photos speak for themselves. Hand in hand, they strolled through the City of Light looking very much like a couple.
On Instagram, Sheikha Mahra offered a glimpse into her Paris getaway—complete with glittering views of the Eiffel Tower, an upscale dinner, and most notably, a photo of two hands clasping a heart-shaped padlock against the twinkling skyline. The shot looks to have been taken at Pont des Arts, famously dubbed the “Love Lock Bridge,” where couples fasten locks to the railings and toss the keys into the Seine as a symbol of lasting love. Though they haven’t officially confirmed their relationship, the message couldn’t be clearer.
But this isn’t the first time the two have sparked romance rumors. Just last year, the princess posted pictures with French Montana (born Karim Kharbouch) at Nammos Dubai, the celeb-loved restaurant tucked inside the Four Seasons Resort in Jumeirah. The two were also seen riding camels in the desert, and the Unforgettable singer even suited up in a traditional kandura and ghutra.
Of course, this isn’t Sheikha Mahra’s first time in the headlines for matters of the heart. Her relationships have played out in the public eye before—most notably her very public divorce, which she announced via Instagram. The Dubai ruler’s daughter took to social media to end her marriage using the traditional Islamic method of triple talaq, stating “I divorce you” three times. The moment was as bold as it was unprecedented, and it didn’t stop there. She followed it up by releasing a perfume called “Divorce,” turning heartbreak into a sold-out fragrance and a statement on reclaiming narrative.
French Montana, for his part, is no stranger to high-profile romances either. He was previously married to Deen Kharbouch, with whom he shares a son, and had a very public fling with Khloé Kardashian. That relationship fizzled out, but the two have remained friendly over the years. Still, his new royal entanglement marks a bit of a plot twist.
Between the hand-holding, the love lock, and the Fashion Week strolls, this might just be the most glamorous hard launch we’ve seen in a while. Indeed, they don’t call it the City of Love for nothing.
