The disturbing saga engulfing the royal family of Dubai has taken another incredible twist.
Princess Latifa, the 35-year-old daughter of the Emirates’ ruler Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum, who claims she is being held hostage by her father, has managed to smuggle secret video diaries out of her palace prison.
In the recordings she describes the hell she’s endured since attempting – but failing – to flee Dubai almost four years ago. Tom Steinfort, whose multiple reports for 60 MINUTES about the princess have received international attention, says Latifa’s videos are a positive development because they reveal proof of life.
They also add weight to efforts by the United Nations seeking clarification from Dubai about her welfare. Despite these encouraging signs though, Latifa’s supporters remain concerned that her latest attempt to draw attention to her plight may have exposed her to dangerous repercussions.
Reporter: Tom Steinfort – Producer: Joel Tozer
OUT OF CONTROL
At the height of Britney Spears’ fame, exclusive paparazzi shots of the popstar sold for up to a million dollars.
With ridiculous money like that on offer, it’s little wonder she became the most hunted celebrity on the planet.
It’s also not surprising the never-ending attention crippled her. In 2008, Britney’s erratic behaviour and tumultuous personal life led to a very controversial court order which gave her father, Jamie Spears, control over every part of his daughter’s life, including the tens of millions of dollars she earned as one of the world’s most popular singers.
Effectively, Britney went from performer to prisoner. Thirteen years on, the conservatorship, as it’s called, is still in place, but it seems Britney, who turns 40 this year, now wants her father to back off.
As Karl Stefanovic reports, so do many of her adoring fans who’ve started an extraordinary movement to set her free.
Reporter: Karl Stefanovic – Producer: Naomi Shivaraman
