In a move to bolster the long-standing diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, the Prince of Wales, Prince William, is set to embark on his first official visit to the Middle Eastern kingdom. The visit, scheduled for early February 2026, comes as the two nations approach a century of diplomatic ties in 2027, with the countries celebrating growing trade, energy, and investment partnerships.
Kensington Palace has confirmed that the Prince’s trip will take place between Monday, February 9th, and Wednesday, February 11th, marking his first overseas visit of the new year. This will be William’s first time in the Middle East since his 2023 trip to Kuwait, where he paid his respects following the passing of the former ruling emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah.
The Prince of Wales has previously visited neighbouring countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Oman, and has used such occasions to voice his concerns about the pressing issue of climate change. During a 2022 visit to the UAE, the then-Duke of Cambridge warned that “change is not happening fast enough or at the scale we need” in his address at the Dubai Expo 2020.
The relationship between the British Royal Family and Saudi Arabia dates back almost a century, with Queen Elizabeth II making her first visit to the country in 1979. However, the UK government has previously expressed concerns over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, and in 2020, it sanctioned 20 Saudi nationals involved in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
More recently, the government has been accused of prioritising economic growth over human rights concerns, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration strengthening ties with the country. This includes recent visits by the Chancellor and Foreign Secretary, as well as an invitation extended to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, to visit the UK in the autumn of 2023.
Saudi Arabia has also faced criticism and accusations of “sportswashing” by investing in sporting events, such as hosting the World Cup in 2034, to distract from alleged wrongdoing and portray a favourable image to the world.
As Prince William prepares for his historic visit, the diplomatic and economic relationship between the UK and Saudi Arabia will undoubtedly be a key focus, with the potential for both opportunities and challenges to arise.
