Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani no relation Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned
Early years and education
Hamad was born in 1952. His mother died soon after his birth and he was raised by his uncle.He graduated from the British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in 1971, and was then commissioned as a lieutenant colonel in Qatar's armed forces. A few months later he returned to Qatar and was made commander of a mobile brigade, which later became a force called "Hamad Brigade". In 1972, Hamad had the rank of general, and became army chief of staff. Next he was appointed commander-in-chief of Qatar's armed forces with the rank of major general. In 1977 he was named minister of defense.Hamad was appointed Heir Apparent of Qatar in 1977 and held the post until 1995. In the early 1980s, he led the Supreme Planning Council, which sets Qatar's basic economic and social policies. From 1992, Hamad had a growing responsibility for the day-to-day running of the country, including the development of Qatar's oil and natural gas resources. On 27 June 1995, after deposing his father in a palace coup, Hamad became Emir of Qatar and was crowned on 20 June 2000.In the early 1980s, Hamad led the Supreme Planning Council, which sets Qatar's basic economic and social policies. Starting in 1992, Hamad's father handed over responsibility for the day-to-day running of the country, including the development of Qatar's oil and natural gas resources, rendering him the effective ruler. However, his father ultimately retained control over state finances.Marriages and children
Sheikh Hamad has three wives and twenty-four children, eleven sons and thirteen daughters:
Hamad's first wife is his first cousin, Sheikha Mariam bint Muhammad Al Thani, the daughter of his paternal uncle, Sheikh Muhammad bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani. They have two sons and six daughters, namely:
Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born 1972) – heir apparent of Qatar (1995–96)
Sheikh Fahd bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Sheikha Aisha bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Sheikha Fatima bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Sheikha Rawdah bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Sheikha Hessa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Sheikha Mashael bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Sheikha Sara bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani – Program Coordinator for Reach Out to Asia-Qatar (ROTAQ)
Hamad's second wife is Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned (born 8 August 1959, Al-Khor), the daughter of Nasser bin Abdullah Al-Missned. They have five sons and two daughters, namely:
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born 25 August 1978) – heir apparent of Qatar (1996–2003)
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born 3 June 1980) – heir apparent of Qatar (2003–2013), current Emir of Qatar (2013–present)
Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born 1983)
Sheikha Hind bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born 15 August 1984)
Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born 1986)
Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born 18 April 1988)
Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani  (born 11 November 1991)
Hamad's third wife is Sheikha Noora bint Khalid Al Thani, again his first cousin, the daughter of his paternal uncle, Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani, who was the minister of the interior. They have four sons and five daughters:
Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani – Deputy Emir of Qatar since 11 November 2014.
Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani(born on January 16,1994).
Sheikh Al Qaqa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (born 30 June 2000)
Sheikha Lulwah bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Sheikha Maha bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Sheikha Dana bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Sheikha Mariam bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
no relation