 Through his father, Hamad Al Thani is also a great-grandson of the 3rd Emir of Qatar, Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, and a first cousin of the former and 9th Emir, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.Hamad Al Thani began his education in Qatar and later attended Sandhurst Military Academy in England.Hamad Al Thani was deputy commander of the Qatar armed forces from 1973 to 1978.