A member of Qatar’s ruling family, Sheikh Nasser bin Abdullah al-Thani, has been ordered by a London court to pay more than £458,000 following an unpaid bill for accommodation and related charges at The Dorchester, one of the capital’s most prestigious hotels. The dispute was resolved in July by the County Court at Central London, which ruled in favor of the hotel.
The Dorchester, located in Mayfair and owned by Brunei’s investment arm, brought the claim after the sheikh reportedly failed to settle charges for his stay, which included room fees and additional costs. The court awarded The Dorchester £198,180 plus interest of approximately £3,267 for room charges, along with further costs amounting to over £256,600. District Judge Michael Javaherian also authorized the sale of the sheikh’s limited-edition 2011 Fiat 500 Abarth Tributo Ferrari, a turbocharged compact car valued at around £23,500, as a partial means to recover the debt.
Sheikh al-Thani, who has no official government role but is a distant cousin of Qatar’s ruling al-Thani family, had not attended the hearing nor sent legal representation. Court documents listed his address as Al Wajba Palace in Doha, Qatar. His legal team stated that he had only recently become aware of the proceedings and disputed the sum claimed by the hotel, indicating plans to seek to have the judgment set aside.
Social media posts reportedly show Sheikh al-Thani possessing an array of luxury vehicles, including a Lamborghini Aventador and a rare Mirage GT, as well as staying at several high-end hotels worldwide, such as the Mandarin Oriental in Geneva and the Shangri-La in Paris. A 2015 photograph shows a Lamborghini Aventador parked outside The Dorchester, suggesting a prolonged or repeated association with the hotel, where standard rooms start at around £1,000 per night and can exceed £8,000, with the royal suite costing up to £30,000 per night.
Separately, Sheikh al-Thani and his family have been involved in legal controversy relating to Malaga Football Club, a Spanish La Liga team formerly majority-owned by his father Abdullah al-Thani. Spanish authorities have issued arrest warrants and sought prison sentences relating to allegations of financial misconduct and misappropriation of funds connected to the club. The sheikh was reportedly photographed in London while wanted for questioning in Spain.
The Dorchester and its legal representatives have declined to comment on the matter. The incident highlights ongoing financial and legal challenges facing members of prominent families despite their wealth and international profiles.