Qatari Royal Family's London Property Empire Surpasses British Monarchy's

The Qatari royal family owns more London properties than King Charles, with a portfolio valued at £2.4 billion. They control a quarter of the Northwest Mayfair area, including the most expensive private dwelling in Britain, and have acquired several London landmarks, such as Harrods department store. Their wealth is estimated to be around £2.4 billion, with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani worth around £1.6 billion.

The Qatari royal family has quietly amassed a substantial real estate portfolio in London, surpassing the holdings of the British monarchy. According to recent reports, the Al-Thani family owns a quarter of northwest Mayfair, an area dubbed "Little Doha," and holds a significant stake in several iconic London landmarks. Their total real estate holdings in the capital are estimated to be around 1.8 million square feet, with a value of approximately £2.4 billion.

The Al-Thani family's extensive portfolio includes luxury residential properties, landmark retail spaces, and significant stakes in key infrastructure projects. Notably, they own a substantial portion of northwest Mayfair, including the most expensive private dwelling in Britain, valued at £400 million in 2015 [1]. This area, known as "Little Doha," reflects the Qatari royal family's significant influence in the capital.

In addition to residential properties, the Al-Thani family has acquired several high-profile brands and landmarks in London. They own the iconic department store Harrods, which was purchased by the Qatar Investment Authority in 2010 [1]. The family also manages a portfolio of luxury hotels under Maybourne Hotels, including The Berkeley and Claridge's [1]. Furthermore, they have a significant stake in The Shard, the tallest building in Europe, which is 95% owned by the state of Qatar [1]. The Al-Thani family also co-owns Canary Wharf and has a 20% stake in Heathrow Airport, which is projected to service 84.2 million travelers in 2025 [1]. Even the British supermarket Sainsbury's has Qatari investment, with the state owning 14.3% of the company [1].

The family's wealth is estimated to be around £2.4 billion, with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the family patriarch, worth approximately £1.6 billion [1]. The Al-Thani family's real estate holdings in London are managed independently, unlike the British monarchy's properties, which are held through the Crown Estate and managed on behalf of the nation [1].

In comparison, King Charles technically owns several historic royal residences, such as the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace, but these are owned through the Crown Estate and are not considered his private property [1]. The Qatari royal family's extensive real estate portfolio in London highlights their significant influence and economic power in the capital.

References:
[1] https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/uk/qatari-royal-family-london-properties-foreign-royal-family-now-owns-more-of-london-than-king-charles-and-the-numbers-are-alarming/articleshow/123209288.cms