*DUBAI: *A son of the ruler of Sharjah was buried in the emirate Wednesday,as a three-day mourning period began after his unexpected death in London.
Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan al-Qasimi was reported to be 39.
His father, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed al-Qasimi, and other Emiratiofficials took part in the funeral procession as flags flew at half-mast.
The government of Sharjah, one of seven emirates making up the UAE, saidTuesday that Sheikh Khalid died in London a day earlier, withoutelaborating further.
London’s Metropolitan Police said it was investigating an “unexplaineddeath” in Knightsbridge on Monday but declined to reveal names.
A “sudden death”was reported at a residential property and a “man in hislate 30s was found deceased”, said a police statement.
The police also said a post-mortem examination carried out Tuesday wasinconclusive, adding they await the results of further tests. No arrestswere made.
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Sheikh Khalid was the founder and creative director of a fashion brand,QASIMI, whichdebuted his collection in 2008.
According to the label’s website, Sheikh Khalid was born in the United ArabEmirates and grew up in the United Kingdom.
He has a degree in architecture and another in fashion design from London’sprestigious Central Saint Martins arts school.
“Khalid was praised for his tenacious yet sensitive exploration ofsocial-political issues, particularly those pertaining to the Middle Eastand its sometimes strained relationship with the West, a subject very closeto his heart and upbringing,” his website said.
Leaders from across the Arab world, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammedbin Salman and the emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, sentmessages of condolences to the ruler of Sharjah, according the UAE’s statenews agency. -APP/AFP
