In this photo provided by the Saudi Press Agency, Britain’s Prince Charles (L) walks with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Bin Abdulaziz at the Al-Ergah Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 10, 2015. (AP Photo/SPA)
Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz met with Britain’s Prince Charles on Tuesday in the Saudi capital Riyadh, at the beginning of a two-day trip to the Kingdom.
The Prince and his delegation were received at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh by Governor of Riyadh Prince Faisal Bin Bandar, Prince Mohammed Bin Nawwaf Bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Britain, and Simon Collis, Britain’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Prince Charles then met with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques at the Royal Palace in Riyadh to discuss regional issues and ways to boost bilateral relations, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
King Salman later held a luncheon in honor of the Prince and his delegation, and the Prince then also met with Crown Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz.
Prince Charles’ current visit marks his eleventh official trip to the Kingdom, with the latest coming last month when the Prince, accompanied by British Prime Minister David Cameron, visited Riyadh to offer condolences to the Saudi Royal Family on the passing of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz.
An official statement from Clarence House, Prince Charles’ official residence, said the visit showed the importance the British government placed on its relationships with allies in the region.
“These connections are underpinned by the longstanding and respectful relationships which exist between the Royal Family and the ruling families in the Gulf,” the statement added.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on Tuesday, Ambassador Collis said Prince Charles’ visit and the warm reception he had received in Saudi Arabia reflected the deep and historical ties which exist not only between the two countries and their governments, but also between their two royal houses.
Prince Charles’ tour of the region began on Saturday with a two-day visit to Jordan. He then traveled to Kuwait on Monday, and arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. He is scheduled to travel to the UAE and Qatar on Thursday, where he will round off the tour.
Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat is the world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities. Launched in London in 1978, Asharq Al-Awsat has established itself as the decisive publication on pan-Arab and international affairs, offering its readers in-depth analysis and exclusive editorials, as well as the most comprehensive coverage of the entire Arab world.
Follow Me:
