Son of Sharjah Ruler, Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan, dies in London aged 39

The son of the ruler of the city of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates has died in London.

Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, a 39-year-old fashion designer, passed away on Monday, the Sharjah Media Office said.

The sheikh, who also went by the name Khalid Qasimi, was a founder of fashion label Qasimi.

There are to be three days of official mourning in Sharjah, where his father Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi has ruled since 1972.

Flags have been ordered to fly at half mast.

A statement from the the UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs said: "President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan mourns with grief and sorrow, the death of Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the son of the Ruler of Sharjah, praying to Allah the Almighty to rest his soul in peace, and grant his family patience and solace."

Details of his repatriation and funeral prayers have not been announced.

No further details about his cause of death are known at this time.

Messages of condolences to Al Qasimi's father and family have flooded in on social media.