The Prince of Wales is in Riyadh for a three-day visit focused on trade, investment and strengthening UK–Saudi relations.Invest-Gate reports
Arrival in Riyadh and official reception
Prince William poses for a photograph with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on day one of his first official visit to Saudi Arabia. (Getty Images)
Britain’s Prince William has arrived in Saudi Arabia for his first official visit to the Kingdom, underscoring the deepening political and economic ties between the UK and Saudi Arabia.
The Prince of Wales landed in Riyadh on Monday, where he was received at King Khalid International Airport by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, the Deputy Emir of Riyadh. Also present were Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan, and the UK’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Stephen Charles.
Visit objectives and trade relations
According to Kensington Palace, Prince William’s three day visit is being carried out on behalf of the British government and aims to strengthen bilateral relations between London and Riyadh. The trip follows a 2025 visit by the UK’s finance minister, which London said resulted in trade and investment agreements worth £6.4bn ($8.7bn).
Meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Late on Monday, Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received Prince William in the Saudi capital. The meeting marked the official start of the visit, which runs through Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Engagement with economic, cultural and sustainability initiatives
The visit will also see Prince William engage with initiatives linked to Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation, cultural development and sustainability agenda. His program includes meetings with young Saudis, discussions on urban development and environmental conservation, and visits to projects supporting women’s sports, e-sports and cultural cooperation.
Planned visit to AlUla
Later in the week, the Prince of Wales is expected to travel to AlUla, the historic oasis city in northwestern Saudi Arabia. There, he will visit wildlife reserves, meet local communities and tour Prince of Wales House a newly established UK cultural space designed to promote collaboration in arts, heritage and conservation.
Longstanding Saudi UK partnership
The visit builds on longstanding Saudi-British relations spanning more than 80 years and follows the establishment of the Saudi UK Strategic Partnership Council, which held its first meeting in London in 2018.