6 things to know about Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi: philanthropist, arts patron – and de facto ruler of the UAE

The United Arab Emirates boasts a number of royals whose growing influence on world events is indisputable, and whose vision for their country has earned them admiration.

With a personal net worth around US$30 billion and family wealth estimated to be in excess of $150 billion, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is considered the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates.

Here are six things you need to know about Sheikh Mohammed:

1. He is well educated and received military training

His education started at the Royal Academy in Rabat, Morocco where he studied until the age of 10. Then, he returned to Al Ain in Abu Dhabi where he continued school. He spent one summer studying at Gordonstoun School, a co-educational independent school in Scotland.

After his schooldays finished, he was sent to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. During his time at Sandhurst, he completed an armour course, a flying course, a parachutist course, and received training on tactical aircraft and helicopters.

2. He is at the forefront of the struggle against extremism

Sheikh Mohammed has been at the forefront of the struggle against Islamic extremism, and in his unyielding fight against Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood, he counts the United States, and President Donald Trump, as a major ally.