Another member of Dubai’s royal family has achieved a significant milestone by graduating with honors from the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) in the UK. This time, it is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the grandson of Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Sheikh Mohammed was awarded the coveted Sword of Honour for being the top cadet in Commissioning Course 241, which featured a diverse group of international Officer Cadets from various cultural backgrounds. The Sword of Honour, sponsored by the State of Kuwait in memory of Sheikh Ali Al Sabah, marks a major accomplishment in his military journey and cements his place among the elite.
Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, confirmed his grandson’s achievement on Friday.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, also expressed his pride in his nephew’s outstanding success. On social media, Sheikh Hamdan wrote, “We are all immensely proud of Mohammed, who was awarded the International Sword for the best international cadet, and the International Award for best overall results in military, academic, and practical studies — the first Emirati to achieve both honors simultaneously. Congratulations to him on these remarkable achievements.”
To commemorate the occasion, Sheikh Hamdan shared a video of the graduation ceremony where Sheikh Mohammed marched forward to receive the Sword of Honour with poise, saluted, shook hands, and returned proudly. Sheikh Hamdan also posted an image of the sword on Instagram and met Emirati recruits at the academy, stating, “Our youth continue to bring pride to their nation and families. May they continue to thrive and bring greater success to our homeland.”
This achievement follows a family legacy, as Sheikh Mohammed’s grandfather and the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also graduated from RMAS in 1979. Sheikh Mohamed’s time at Sandhurst was instrumental in shaping his distinguished military career, where he trained in armor, tactical flying, helicopter operations, and paratrooper skills. He went on to serve in elite military roles, ultimately becoming Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, known globally for its excellence, has trained members of distinguished families worldwide, including many from the UAE. Located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, the academy remains a premier institution for officer training and a beacon of military leadership.