The Qatari royal family holds the reins of a country rich in natural gas reserves and has been at the center of global investment for the last couple of years. Reportedly worth around $350 billion, the royal family controls key state functionaries, including the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), which manages assets worth roughly $600 billion.
Hence, the current emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will naturally flaunt his status as a key player in elite power circles while maneuvering through the geopolitical landscape. However, such exhibitionism has to be tempered with a touch of humility and respect.
It seems that even while owning a 404-foot yacht, Al Lusail—built by Lürssen and delivered in 2017—the Sandhurst graduate made sure that he didn’t overshadow his father’s 408-foot Katara, built in 2010. Let’s dig deep into how massive wealth didn’t stop the current emir from honoring age-old traditions.
Two Qatari Royal Family Megayachts Bound by Long-Standing Convention
The story goes that both the father-and-son duo bought high-end Lürssen luxury cruisers, estimated to be well over $400 million. But one thing Hamad Al Thani made sure of was that his yacht be made one meter, or about three to four feet, shorter than the watercraft his dad had bought, as a mark of respect. It’s very important to honor one’s parents in Qatari culture, and the emir wanting his yacht shorter in length than his father’s was a show of gratitude and respect to his birth giver.
Notably, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled Qatar from 1995, relinquished power voluntarily in 2013 so that his son could helm the affairs of the state. Normally, a person in power would like to stay in office as long as possible, but the former emir of Qatar was willing to let go in his heyday, showing the incorruptible nature of their relationship.
According to Luxury Launches, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s ship can accommodate 36 people in 18 cabins, with private elevators. Additionally, the 8,500 GT ship also has two Olympic-sized swimming pools. The exteriors were designed by H2 Yacht Design, but it’s the interiors that take your breath away, with exquisite craftsmanship blending marble, gold, and teak. Additionally, the ship is fitted with a beach club, beauty salon, cinema, fully equipped spa and gym, and a helipad for swift arrivals and exits.
Related: 15 Most Expensive Yachts Owned By Billionaires
Comparatively, the emir’s father’s 408-foot Katara yacht has top-notch amenities, which include a helicopter deck, an array of satellite communication domes, a beach club, swimming pool, gym and spa, an on-deck hot tub, and a main saloon that towers over two decks. The 7,922 GT megayacht, though slightly smaller in volume compared to Al Lusail, can still house 34 guests in 14 cabins, while a crew of 95 takes care of servicing onboard.
By commissioning a vessel deliberately smaller than his father’s, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani appears to have made a quiet statement—one that blends modern luxury with traditional deference. Safe to say, lineage matters in the royal family, and respect for hierarchy matters a lot.
Also read: Mark Zuckerberg’s $300 Million Superyacht Accused of High CO2 Emissions
