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Royal Families · Qatar
The Al Thani family has led Qatar since the 19th century, and Qatar's ruling family has turned Doha into a capital of museums, sport and education that rewards every luxury Qatar vacation.
At a glance
Sheikh Jassim
The Al Thani take their name from Thani bin Mohammed, an ancestor of the family that settled in the Qatar peninsula in the 18th century. The family rose to leadership under Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani in the mid-1800s and, decisively, under his son Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, who led Qatar from 1878 to 1913.
Sheikh Jassim is honored as the founder of the modern State of Qatar, and National Day, 18 December, marks the day he took up leadership. Read more in Qatar's history and culture.
Like its neighbors, Qatar lived by pearling and trade until the early 20th century; our feature on pearling in the Gulf tells that story. Oil and later natural gas transformed the country. Qatar became independent on 3 September 1971, and under successive Al Thani rulers it built schools, hospitals and a modern capital.
The late Father Amir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, led Qatar from 1995 to 2013. His era saw the development of the North Field gas industry, the founding of Education City and the growth of Doha into an international meeting place. He passed away on 12 July 2026, aged 74, and was mourned across the Gulf and beyond.
Amir Sheikh Tamim bin
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has led Qatar since 25 June 2013. His years have brought the FIFA World Cup 2022, the first held in the Arab world, the Doha Metro, new museums and stadiums, and the long-term program set out in Qatar National Vision 2030.
Qatar has not named a crown prince. His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani has served as Deputy Amir since 2014. The Prime Minister, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs, is His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
Few ruling families have invested in culture as generously as the Al Thani. Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani chairs Qatar Museums, which oversees the Museum of Islamic Art, the National Museum of Qatar and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser founded Qatar Foundation, whose Education City hosts branch campuses of leading American universities. His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani leads the Qatar Olympic Committee.
For travelers this legacy is the reason Doha is now one of the great museum cities of the region; see our list of Middle East museums and the best of Doha.
Qatar uses the spelling Amir. The head of state is His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa is referred to as His Highness the Father Amir. Other members of the family carry the title Sheikh or Sheikha, and senior office-holders are styled His or Her Excellency.
Places that show the family's contribution on a luxury Qatar vacation.
Jean Nouvel's desert-rose building wraps around the restored palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani.
Official site ↗I. M. Pei's landmark on the Corniche, housing one of the world's finest Islamic art collections.
Official site ↗A vast private collection of cars, carpets, coins and heritage objects in a fortified setting.
Qatar's UNESCO-listed pearling town and fort, an evocative day trip.
Start with our luxury Qatar vacation guide, add a night in Lusail, and compare the region's royal houses on royal families of the Middle East.
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Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.