The fashion designer and crown prince Khalid Al Qasimi, second son of the ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, died at the age of 39 on Monday.
The United Arab Emirates is holding three days of mourning, with flags ordered to fly at half-mast and funeral prayers being held on Wednesday.
Without disclosing the cause of death, London’s Metropolitan Police said they received a report of a sudden death at a residential property in Knightsbridge.
Only three weeks ago the designer showed his spring/summer 2020 collection for his brand Qasimi at London fashion week men’s showcase, to critical acclaim.
Born in the UAE, the prince moved to the UK to study at Tonbridge School in Kent. After that he joined Central St Martin’s in London and graduated in architecture and fashion design.
In a statement, representatives from his fashion label Qasimi said: “The design world has lost a great philosopher and artist, and we ask that the privacy of the family, team and brand are respected at this difficult time.”
Paying tribute, CEO of the British Fashion Council, Caroline Rush, said: “Khalid Qasimi was a talented young designer whose collections were modern, elegant and forward thinking. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.”
His older brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, died of a drug overdose at the age of 24 in 1999. He was found on the floor of his bathroom at the family’s home in East Grinstead.
Inquires into the death of Khalid Al Qasimi are ongoing.
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