The wife of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has asked for a forced marriage protection order in England's High Court, making her the third female member of the royal family to attempt to run away from al-Maktoum. The case began in London on Tuesday.

Princess Haya bint al-Hussein, the 45-year-old Jordanian daughter of late King Hussein and half-sister to King Abdullah, also applied for a "non-molestation order," which protects from harassment or threats. It was not clear who this order was in relation to.

At the High Court of England and Wales, she also applied for wardship of her two children and reporting restrictions on details about the orders, but the latter was rejected. Judge Andrew McFarlane ruled there was "a public interest in the public understanding, in very broad terms, proceedings that are before the court."

A forced marriage protection order helps if someone says they have been forced into marriage or are already in a forced marriage, according to official British legal definitions.

When asked about the court proceedings, an official at the London embassy of the United Arab Emirates said: "The UAE government does not intend to comment on allegations about individuals' private lives."

Representatives of the sheikh did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Dubai government media office declined to comment on "a private matter that is being resolved in the court."

Princess Haya

The 70-year-old sheikh, who is also vice president of the UAE, wed the princess, a former member of the International Olympic Committee, in 2004 in what was believed to be his sixth marriage. He has more than 20 children by different wives.

Princess Haya, who competed in equestrian jumping in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, has often attended Britain's Royal Ascot horse races with Sheikh Mohammed.

It's believed that Princess Haya will want to stay in the UK. However, if her husband demands her return to Dubai, this could cause a diplomatic headache for Britain, which has close ties to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Princess Haya attended the court hearing in London, while Sheikh Mohammed didn't show up. Two of Britain's most famous family lawyers are representing the two parties: Fiona Shackleton is representing Haya and Helen Ward is representing Sheikh Mohammed.

"These proceedings are concerned with the welfare of the two children of their marriage and do not concern divorce or finances,” the two parties said in a joint statement issued by the High Court earlier this month.

(With input from Reuters)