Fashion designer Khalid Al Qasimi has been laid to rest after he died in unexpected circumstances at a flat in Knightsbridge.
The Middle Eastern crown prince, 39, was found unresponsive when emergency services were called to his penthouse in London shortly after 10.30am on Monday.
Tens of thousands of mourners attended the funeral in the city of Sharjah, which his father Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi rules over on Wednesday.
The Emir of Sharjah stood over his sons body with eyes closed during the ceremony at the King Faisal Mosque at 9am.
The service took place amid unconfirmed reports the designer died during a drug-fuelled orgy at the penthouse.
Officers found the drugs after being called in by medics, according to The Sun.
Advertisement
Advertisement
A source told the publication: There had apparently been a party where some guests were taking drugs and having sex.
It is suspected that Sheikh Khalid may have died suddenly as a result of taking drugs. As well as the police inquiry, an urgent internal probe has been ordered and staff have been ordered to keep quiet.
The Met Police said the death is being treated as unexplained, and an initial post-mortem examination carried out on Tuesday failed to identify a cause of death.
Police said no arrests had been made and inquiries were continuing.
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: We were called at 10.32am Monday to reports of an incident on Knightsbridge, SW7.
We sent an ambulance crew and a medic in a car to the scene. Sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene.
The spokesman was unable to confirm what the victim was treated for.
The United Arab Emirates-born designer founded an eponymous fashion brand in 2016 and has displayed collections at London and Paris fashion weeks.
Three days of mourning have been announced in the UAE following the death of the great philosopher and artist, with flags flying at half-mast.
Advertisement
Advertisement
He was laid to rest on Wednesday morning in Sharjah. The funeral prayer was held at the nearby King Faisal Mosque.
Photographer Mariano Vivanco was among those paying tribute, calling the designer my angel.
His father posted on Instagram: The arrival of the body of the deceased and prayers upon him will be announced.
Prince Fahad Al Saud of Saudi Arabia said: This is so sad, I loved his work. Rest in power.
The designer moved to the UK from the UAE when he was nine.
METRO
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
