Britain’s Crown Prince, Prince William, begins his visit to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, this Tuesday with a busy agenda combining sports and innovation; he will meet Saudi women football players and participate in an e-sports event.
According to Kensington Palace, Prince William, known for his passion for environmental issues, will later head to the historic city of AlUla to learn about efforts to preserve natural and cultural heritage.
His program also includes a tour of the Riyadh city center rehabilitation project and joining local girls’ teams for football exercises.
This visit aims to solidify the deep friendly ties between the two royal families, as the Kingdom is a strategic partner for Britain in the region.
Kensington Palace broke its silence
The last high-level official visit was in 2014, when King Charles III (then the Prince of Wales) visited Riyadh.
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The visit coincides with the return of the ‘Jeffrey Epstein’ scandal to the headlines in Britain, specifically concerning Prince Andrew.
It is noted that Kensington Palace broke its silence just before William’s arrival in Riyadh, expressing the “great concern” felt by the Prince and his wife Catherine regarding the newly leaked information, without explicitly naming Prince Andrew.
The recent documents revealed suspicions that Prince Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles, may have handed over reports that could be confidential to Epstein during his tenure as Britain’s trade envoy (2001-2011).
Prince William
Prince William is a county in the U.S. state of Virginia, part of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Historically, it was formed in 1731 and named for Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, and is home to significant sites like the Manassas National Battlefield Park from the American Civil War.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a Middle Eastern nation founded in 1932 by King Abdulaziz Al Saud, unifying the regions of Najd and Hejaz. It is the birthplace of Islam, home to the religion’s two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, and its history and culture are deeply intertwined with the faith. The modern kingdom is a major global economic power due to its vast reserves of petroleum.
Riyadh
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, historically a walled oasis town and the historic seat of the Al Saud dynasty. Its modern transformation began after it was established as the national capital in 1932, accelerating dramatically with the oil boom of the 20th century into a major global metropolis and financial hub.
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is a royal residence in London, originally built as Nottingham House in the 17th century before being expanded by King William III and Queen Mary II. It has been home to many members of the royal family, including Queen Victoria in her youth and Diana, Princess of Wales. Today, it serves as an official residence for several royals while its state rooms are open to the public as a museum.
AlUla
AlUla is a historically rich region in northwestern Saudi Arabia, renowned for the archaeological site of Hegra (Madain Salih), which was the southern capital of the Nabatean Kingdom and features over 100 well-preserved monumental tombs. The area also contains evidence of ancient settlements from the Dadan and Lihyanite kingdoms, making it a significant crossroads for trade and culture. Today, it is a major cultural tourism destination, showcasing millennia of human history.
Britain
Britain is a sovereign island nation in northwestern Europe with a long and influential history, including the Roman occupation, the formation of the United Kingdom, and the vast British Empire. Its rich cultural heritage is reflected in historic institutions like the monarchy and Parliament, as well as globally significant contributions to literature, science, and industry.
Kingdom
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a modern nation-state founded in 1932 by King Abdulaziz Al Saud, who unified the regions of the Arabian Peninsula. Its history is deeply rooted in the birthplace of Islam, with the holy cities of Mecca and Medina serving as central spiritual sites for over 1,400 years.
King Charles III
King Charles III is the current monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms, ascending to the throne on September 8, 2022, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. His coronation ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023.
Prince of Wales
The Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the male heir apparent to the British throne, originating in the 13th century after King Edward I’s conquest of Wales. It symbolizes the union of Wales with the Kingdom of England and is not associated with a specific physical location but rather a dynastic position within the monarchy.
Jeffrey Epstein
Jeffrey Epstein was a financier who became infamous for operating a vast sex trafficking ring involving underage girls, which he facilitated from his private residences and other properties. His connections to wealthy and powerful figures drew intense public scrutiny, and his 2019 death by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial remains a subject of widespread controversy and conspiracy theories.
Prince Andrew
Prince Andrew is a member of the British royal family, the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. His public role diminished significantly following a 2021 civil lawsuit and settlement related to allegations of sexual assault, which led to him being stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages.
Catherine
Catherine Palace is an 18th-century Rococo palace located in Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin), near Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was commissioned by Empress Catherine I and later extensively expanded by her daughter, Empress Elizabeth, with its famous Amber Room being a celebrated, though tragically looted, masterpiece.
