Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
The former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (), appointed his fourth son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (), as heir apparent on 5 August 2003, after his older son Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (who held the position between 1996 and 2003) renounced his rights to the throne in favour of Sheikh Tamim.