Prince William meets Saudi crown prince as UK seeks to deepen ties

RIYADH/LONDON – Britain’s Prince William met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an official three-day visit to the Kingdom, underscoring efforts by London to strengthen strategic, economic and cultural ties with one of its key partners in the Gulf.

The visit, undertaken on behalf of the British government, reflects the growing importance of Saudi Arabia in Britain’s foreign and economic policy, particularly as the kingdom accelerates sweeping reforms under its Vision 2030 programme aimed at diversifying its economy and expanding international partnerships.

William, the Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne, arrived in Riyadh on Monday evening and was welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammed. The two figures held talks and toured the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district in Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi state, in a gesture highlighting both the historical depth and contemporary evolution of the bilateral relationship.

The meeting builds on longstanding ties between the British and Saudi royal families. William previously met the crown prince in London in 2018, when he and his father, then Prince Charles, hosted him at Clarence House, while Queen Elizabeth II held a separate engagement. Saudi royals have made four state visits to Britain during Elizabeth’s reign, reflecting Riyadh’s status as a key ally.

The current visit also follows a trip to Saudi Arabia by Britain’s finance minister in 2025, during which London said trade and investment agreements worth £6.4 billion were secured, underlining the economic dimension of the partnership.

During his visit, William is focusing on Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation, cultural initiatives and environmental programmes, areas that align closely with both British foreign policy priorities and his personal advocacy, particularly on climate and conservation.

On Tuesday, the prince toured projects across Riyadh highlighting the kingdom’s social and urban transformation. He visited a major urban regeneration initiative and attended a sports complex, where he watched training sessions involving girls’ youth football teams, reflecting the expanding role of women in Saudi public life.

In a lighter moment, William joined the footballers on the pitch and scored two goals, according to footage released by British media, drawing enthusiastic reactions from the young players.

He also attended an e-sports tournament, signalling Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a global hub for gaming and digital entertainment as part of its broader strategy to develop new economic sectors beyond oil.

The prince later visited local businesses and spoke with young Saudis, emphasising engagement with the country’s emerging generation, which is playing a central role in shaping the Kingdom’s future.

Environmental and cultural diplomacy are key elements of the visit. William, a prominent environmental campaigner, is travelling to the ancient oasis city of AlUla in north-western Saudi Arabia, where he will explore conservation projects and wildlife reserves, meet local communities and tour heritage initiatives.

He is also expected to visit “Prince of Wales House,” a new British cultural centre in AlUla designed to promote collaboration in arts, heritage and cultural exchange between the two countries.

AlUla, once a major crossroads of ancient civilisations, has become a flagship project in Saudi Arabia’s cultural tourism push, blending heritage preservation with modern development.

William’s engagements also include discussions on sustainability, urban planning and environmental protection, areas where Britain and Saudi Arabia have sought to expand cooperation amid global climate challenges.

Saudi Arabia is widely regarded as one of Britain’s most important partners in the Gulf, with cooperation spanning trade, defence, education and culture. The royal visit highlights the role of diplomacy at both governmental and symbolic levels in reinforcing those ties.

Beyond formal diplomacy, the visit reflects a broader effort to strengthen people-to-people links, particularly through youth engagement, sport and cultural initiatives.

For Britain, the trip reinforces its commitment to maintaining strong partnerships in the Gulf as it seeks new economic opportunities and strategic alliances. For Saudi Arabia, hosting the heir to the British throne highlights its growing international profile and efforts to present itself as a modernising nation open to global cooperation.

William’s visit is widely seen as part of a long-term process of deepening UK-Saudi relations, combining economic interests, cultural exchange and shared priorities in sustainability and development.