Ras al-Khaimah's ruler removed his eldest son as heir after four decades; when the ruler died in 2010 the son came home to claim the throne and his guards were arrested

Saqr bin Mohammed took power in Ras al-Khaimah in 1948 in a bloodless palace coup against his uncle. His eldest son, Khalid, was crown prince for more than four decades. A decree of 14 June 2003 made Khalid's younger half-brother, Saud, crown prince. No reason was given. Sources close to Khalid told Reuters he rejected the decision because his father was in poor health; Emirati sources said Khalid had blocked rulings by Saud. Khalid's supporters clashed with the emiri guard, and Abu Dhabi sent armoured vehicles. Khalid later lobbied in the United States, accusing Saud of being close to Iran. Saqr died on 27 October 2010, aged 92, then the world's longest-serving monarch. Khalid returned and moved into his pre-2003 palace with more than a hundred supporters. By mid-afternoon the federal Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced Saud as ruler. Tanks were placed on the emirate's outskirts, most of Khalid's guards were arrested, and Khalid and his son were barred from the funeral. Khalid said he would take his claim to the Supreme Council of Rulers. Saud bin Saqr rules Ras al-Khaimah in 2026^†.