Britain’s Prince William arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday for his first official visit to the kingdom, a trip aimed at strengthening economic cooperation but already overshadowed by renewed scrutiny surrounding his uncle, Prince Andrew, and his links to the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Prince of Wales was received at the airport by the Deputy Governor of the Riyadh Region, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, according to Saudi authorities.
Ahead of William’s arrival, Kensington Palace issued a rare public statement addressing the long-running controversy surrounding Prince Andrew, saying William and his wife, Catherine, were “deeply concerned by the continuing revelations.” Although the statement did not mention Andrew by name, it marked a significant departure from years of silence by the royal household.
The British monarchy has come under renewed pressure following fresh allegations emerging from documents released by the US Department of Justice related to Epstein. The files suggest that Andrew may have shared potentially sensitive information with Epstein during his tenure as the UK’s trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.
The renewed controversy threatens to overshadow William’s three-day visit to Saudi Arabia, a trip that has already drawn criticism from human rights groups due to the kingdom’s record on civil liberties.
As part of his itinerary, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to give Prince William a private tour of the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site on Monday, followed by a formal audience with the Saudi leader.
The visit, scheduled to conclude on Wednesday, is intended to highlight expanding trade, energy and investment ties between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia as both countries approach the centenary of their diplomatic relationship.
Prince William, known for his strong interest in environmental issues, will also travel to the historic city of AlUla, where he is expected to learn about ongoing conservation and heritage preservation efforts.
Relations between the British and Saudi royal families have historically been close, with Saudi Arabia regarded as one of Britain’s key strategic partners in the Gulf. The late Queen Elizabeth II hosted Saudi royals on four state visits, placing the kingdom on par with major European allies.
According to Simon Mabon, Chair of International Relations at Lancaster University, the relationship between the two royal families has remained strong over many years. He noted that William’s involvement comes at a time when the UK government is seeking to bolster economic ties and may be attempting to leverage royal diplomacy to strengthen partnerships.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said the British government values William’s diplomatic skills, citing his previous high-profile international engagements. However, he warned that long-planned royal visits often risk being overshadowed by unfolding controversies.
The last senior British royal to make an official visit to Riyadh was King Charles III in February 2014, when he was still Prince of Wales.
The UK has previously expressed concerns about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. In 2020, it imposed sanctions on 20 Saudi nationals linked to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. A declassified US intelligence report later suggested that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved the operation, an allegation Saudi authorities have consistently denied.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met the Saudi crown prince in Riyadh in December 2024 as part of ongoing diplomatic engagements.
Trade in goods and services between the UK and Saudi Arabia was valued at approximately $23.5 billion in the year ending June 30, 2025.
Prince William Arrives Saudi Arabia on Official Visit Amid Renewed Andrew–Epstein Controversy
