Following the outbreak of conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, Petra Ecclestone has left Dubai, joining other celebrities who have chosen to leave the UAE due to the resulting disruption.
Bernie Ecclestone’s daughter, a well-known socialite, flew out of the country on Thursday with her husband, Sam Palmer, and their four children. They traveled together in business class on a regular commercial flight.
Like several other social media personalities, she recently departed Dubai following the resumption of more regular flights. However, she clarified in an Instagram post that her departure wasn’t an attempt to flee.
Petra, age 37, said she was traveling abroad simply to ensure her 13-year-old daughter, Lavinia, could compete in a European horse show.
Petra shared photos with her family at the airport, reminiscing about her time in the Middle East. She wrote about how it’s been two months since they moved to Dubai. ✈️
Things haven’t been perfect, and we’ve definitely hit some bumps in the road. But we’ve worked through everything together, as a family, and come out stronger.
She maintained that the recent missile attacks weren’t the reason she chose to leave, and clarified: ‘We didn’t leave because of the things people are assuming.’
Honestly, getting to Europe for Lavinia’s horse shows was a real challenge! This particular flight was the only option that would get us there on schedule. It wasn’t about preference, it was purely logistical – we had to grab it, or we’d miss everything! As someone who travels frequently for events, I always say flexibility is key, but sometimes you just get lucky finding a way to make it happen.
We really appreciate Dubai’s commitment to safety, and we’ve felt incredibly welcome and secure while adjusting to life here.
Petra is a mother to five children: Lavinia, twins Andrew and James (age 10), Minnie (age 5), and a child with her ex-husband, James Stunt. After a trip, she posted photos of her family back home in London.
She penned: ‘Home in my heart, and full of the childhood memories that raised me.’
Petra recently shared her anxieties while in Dubai, explaining to her followers that after feeling secure and settled, an unexpected event had occurred.
She initially felt differently, but later shared on social media how safe and strong she felt in the UAE, writing, ‘This is what safety feels like. This is what resilience looks like. This is UAE.’
Despite the ongoing conflict, many international figures, including prominent British personalities, have been publicly praising Dubai and calling it the safest place on earth.
Despite public displays of support, The Daily Mail has discovered a harsher truth: the UAE government wouldn’t hesitate to imprison or deport anyone creating content they deem damaging to the country’s image.
The government has also suppressed the sharing of real videos from the initial attacks on Saturday. These videos showed damage caused by drones or falling debris at luxury locations like the Fairmont Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah and the famous Burj Al Arab, which was shown on fire.
Shortly after the initial attacks, Dubai’s Media Office stated that old photos and videos of previous fires in the city were being shared online to scare people and attract attention.
The post stated that anyone who shares this content illegally under UAE law will face legal consequences.
Given the country’s terrible human rights record – including limited free speech, a biased legal system, and common use of torture – these warnings are always taken very seriously.
You could face hefty fines – up to £200,000 – or even a five-year prison sentence for criticizing the UAE government, its organizations, or spreading untrue information. Deportation is also a possibility, especially if you own property in the country.
As a long-time follower of the Dubai scene, I’ve noticed just how many influencers have flocked there – estimates say over 50,000! It’s not just the sunshine and the fact that there’s no income tax, though those are definitely perks. The Dubai government has really rolled out the red carpet with something called Creators HQ. They’re actively helping people like me set up and grow our businesses with amazing support and advice. It’s a huge reason why so many of us are building our careers there.
Dubai offers a special, ten-year residency visa – a ‘Golden Visa’ – to high-profile individuals and their families. To qualify, they need to publicly promote Dubai’s luxurious lifestyle and emphasize how safe it is.
Despite influencers frequently praising Dubai’s safety, many people are still leaving the country.
Laura Anderson, known from Love Island, shared that she was hoping for a smooth flight from Dubai to Edinburgh after successfully booking one earlier this week.
After several tries, Sam Gowland from Geordie Shore was finally able to travel to Mauritius.
Alice Liveing, a fitness influencer, was able to return to the UK after being stranded in Dubai when the strikes started.
I was so touched when I saw her picture breastfeeding her little one. Her caption really resonated with me – she said the last few days have just felt completely unreal, and I totally get it! It feels like a dream come true for her, and seeing that moment shared so openly is just beautiful.
Okay, so I probably shouldn’t even mention it because I know so many people are going through really tough times right now, but honestly? We’re just unbelievably grateful to be back home! It was such a scramble getting here – we were in Oman, and somehow, somehow, we snagged a flight all the way back to London. I’m still pinching myself!
The past few days have felt incredibly strange. While many people are facing really difficult circumstances, we’re so grateful to be back home. We were able to travel to Omna and then catch a flight from there to London.
Despite telling her fans she was doing well in Dubai, Apprentice star Luisa Zissman announced she’s planning to come back to the UK.
To be honest, things seem okay here. The kids finished school a week early. I’m scheduled to return to the UK on Monday for work and I’m hoping that trip can still go ahead. I’m seeing a lot of planes flying overhead.
I’ve been a bit anxious about returning to the UK for work, mainly because I’m worried about being able to get back to Dubai afterwards. So, I’ve decided to bring the kids with me when I go – it’ll be lovely to see my parents while I’m there, and it solves the problem of leaving them behind!
Love Island’s Michael Griffith and EastEnders actress Rukku Nahar were stuck in Dubai after their flight was cancelled, preventing them from returning home.
Rukku posted a sad photo to her followers, letting them know she couldn’t find a flight home.
She also expressed hope that the Indian Embassy could assist, as she hadn’t received any help from the British Embassy.
Rukku remained hopeful and posted a video from the airport, asking her followers for good wishes. She explained that she and Michael were facing a difficult day and night as they tried to get back home to the UK.
After seven days of conflict between the US and Israel with Iran, the first UK-organized flight carrying British citizens safely back home landed in Britain on Friday.
The US and Israel have continued to launch attacks across Iran, and Iran has responded with counterattacks targeting Israel, US bases, and other areas in the region.
Thousands of British citizens have left the area, and around 4,000 had already flown back to the UK on regular commercial flights before the first government-organized rescue flight arrived at London Stansted Airport just before 1:00 AM on Friday.
Despite ongoing criticism from US President Donald Trump regarding the UK’s handling of the conflict, Sir Keir Starmer maintained that the close relationship between the US and the UK is currently active and functioning.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister announced that four more British Typhoon fighter jets are being sent to Qatar to boost security efforts in the area.
Reports indicate the conflict has resulted in at least 1,230 deaths in Iran, over 100 in Lebanon, approximately a dozen in Israel, and the deaths of six US service members.
Read More
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Star Wars Fans Should Have “Total Faith” In Tradition-Breaking 2027 Movie, Says Star
- Clash of Clans Unleash the Duke Community Event for March 2026: Details, How to Progress, Rewards and more
- KAS PREDICTION. KAS cryptocurrency
- Christopher Nolan’s Highest-Grossing Movies, Ranked by Box Office Earnings
- eFootball 2026 Jürgen Klopp Manager Guide: Best formations, instructions, and tactics
- Jessie Buckley unveils new blonde bombshell look for latest shoot with W Magazine as she reveals Hamnet role has made her ‘braver’
- eFootball 2026 is bringing the v5.3.1 update: What to expect and what’s coming
- Country star Thomas Rhett welcomes FIFTH child with wife Lauren and reveals newborn’s VERY unique name
- How to watch Marty Supreme right now – is Marty Supreme streaming?
2026-03-06 15:50